Interim Government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday sought Malaysia’s support for Bangladesh to become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh has a very good relationship with Malaysia and recalled his friendship with Malaysian leaders, including Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.
“Let’s give our best to enhance relationship,” the Chief Adviser told the Malaysian High Commissioner.
He sought Malaysian support when Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Haznah Md. Hashim, paid a courtesy call on him at the State Guest House Jamuna.
Bangladesh can be a bridge between ASEAN and SAARC, Chief Adviser’s press wing quoted Prof Yunus as saying.
Hashim said Kuala Lumpur was going to be the next chair of ASEAN and she would convey Professor Yunus’s message to the Malaysian authorities regarding the ASEAN membership.
She said Malaysia would work with the Professor Yunus-led Interim government. “We trust in you. We wish you all the best,” she said.
Prof Yunus said that at least seven Malaysian universities have Yunus Centre, promoting social business ideas he champions and his three zero concepts.
The High Commissioner, who is leaving Bangladesh after a tenure of four years, raised tax issues being faced by Robi Axiata and other Malaysian companies, saying some 50 percent of Robi’s revenue is paid as taxes.
She said Malaysian companies including several owned by its sovereign funds have invested more than $5 billion in Bangladesh and were now willing to invest more including in education.
She said a second Malaysian car manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Chittagong-based company for distributing and assembling cars.
The Malaysian High Commissioner said Kuala Lumpur could be a desired destination for medical tourism, saying the Bangladeshi people can do essential medical treatment in the country at an affordable price.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) affairs principal coordinator Lamiya Morshed, among others, was present at the meeting.
