Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Visits Bangladesh, Strengthens Ties Amid Political Transition

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Dhaka on Friday for a high-profile visit, marking the first by a foreign leader since Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus assumed power in August following a mass uprising. Anwar’s visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations through discussions on trade, migrant workers, and addressing the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis.

Anwar Ibrahim, accompanied by a 58-member delegation, was warmly received at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Yunus, who greeted him with full state honors, including gun salutes and a red carpet reception. The visit, though brief, signals renewed diplomatic engagement between the two nations, with Bangladesh eager to boost its standing in Southeast Asia ahead of Malaysia’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025.

Bangladesh is seeking deeper economic ties with Malaysia, particularly in trade and investment. In 2023, Malaysia was Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner in South Asia, with trade volume reaching $2.78 billion. The talks also hold significance for the large Bangladeshi migrant workforce in Malaysia. Approximately 800,000 Bangladeshi workers are employed in Malaysia’s construction, manufacturing, and service sectors, although these workers often face challenges, including corruption in recruitment and rights violations by employers.

The Rohingya refugee crisis remains a pressing issue, with over a million Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh. Dhaka is increasingly involving ASEAN nations, including Malaysia, in efforts to find a lasting solution. Yunus is expected to seek greater ASEAN involvement in addressing this humanitarian crisis during his discussions with Anwar.

This state visit, the first by a Malaysian leader to Bangladesh in 11 years, underscores the growing importance of bilateral relations between the two nations, with shared interests in regional stability, economic cooperation, and humanitarian issues.