Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has urged Malaysia to actively support Bangladesh’s bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), highlighting the importance of regional cooperation and economic integration.
On Sunday, Dr. Yunus met with Nurul Izzah Anwar, Vice President of Malaysia’s People’s Justice Party and daughter of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.
“We are eager to become a part of ASEAN, and Malaysia’s support is crucial in this journey,” Dr. Yunus said during the meeting.
Bangladesh officially applied for ASEAN’s sectoral dialogue partnership in 2020. Dr. Yunus expressed confidence that Malaysia, as the current ASEAN chair, will play a key role in moving Bangladesh’s application forward — paving the way for eventual full membership in the regional bloc.
Nurul Izzah expressed her condolences over the recent aviation accident at Milestone School and College in Dhaka, which claimed several lives. In response, Dr. Yunus said, “It’s a tragic and heartbreaking event for our nation. We have lost many precious lives.”
The Chief Adviser congratulated Nurul Izzah on her appointment as Vice President of the People’s Justice Party, praising her leadership and commitment to democratic values.
Their discussion also touched on Bangladesh’s political transition and the reforms being carried out by the interim government. Dr. Yunus stated, “Bangladesh is in the midst of a reform movement. Our students braved bullets to topple the autocratic Hasina regime. It was a youth-driven uprising, but people from all walks of life stood united. The students painted walls and streets with slogans inspired by the spirit of the July Revolution.”
Dr. Yunus also invited Malaysian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh, citing the country's demographic advantage. “While Asia faces a rapidly aging population, Bangladesh has a youthful workforce—half of our people are under 27. This is an opportunity to build industries here and export globally. It would benefit both Bangladesh and Malaysia economically.”
International Affairs Special Envoy Lutfe Siddiqi and SDG Chief Coordinator Lamia Morshed were present during the meeting
