Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Bangladesh expressed their commitment to strengthening institutional political engagement through the resumption of the long-pending Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) and Bilateral Consultations (BC) at the earliest opportunity. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman noted that regular dialogue and exchanges, including high-level visits, have strengthened coordination across various areas of bilateral cooperation, including labour cooperation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, both leaders highlighted the importance of sustaining engagement on bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest. This was outlined in a joint statement issued by the Foreign Ministry during the official visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister to Malaysia. The statement emphasized the significance of people-to-people connectivity, acknowledging the contribution of Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia's development and the role of the expatriate community in fostering bilateral exchanges and shared economic activities.

The joint statement further mentioned that Malaysia took note of Bangladesh's proposal regarding worker recruitment. However, it was clarified that Malaysia's current policy on foreign labour intake involves a strict assessment of new foreign worker quotas, which are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering verified employer requirements and sectoral ceilings. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the recruitment process remains transparent, fair, non-discriminatory, and competitive, utilizing only credible and qualified recruitment agencies.

Additionally, both leaders agreed to convene a Joint Working Group (JWG) to ensure the continued, safe, and mutually beneficial migration of Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia. The meeting aims to evaluate the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and lay the groundwork for drafting a new, updated MoU that aligns with the current needs of both countries.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who arrived in Malaysia last night, is on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.