Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday renewed his call for Malaysia to support Bangladesh鈥檚 bid to become a member of the ASEAN.
The chief adviser made the call when Nurul Izzah Anwar, vice-president of Malaysia鈥檚 People鈥檚 Justice Party and daughter of prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, met him at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.
鈥榃e want to become a part of ASEAN, and we will be needing your support,鈥� said the chief adviser.
Bangladesh applied to become a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN in 2020.
The chief adviser hoped Malaysia, the current chair of ASEAN, will take a proactive role in granting Bangladesh鈥檚 application to become sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN and, in turn, become a full member of the regional body.
At the beginning of the meeting, Nurul Izzah offered her condolences over the recent fighter jet crash at Milestone School in Dhaka.
鈥業t鈥檚 a tragic and sad event for our country. We lost so many people,鈥� the Chief Adviser responded.
He greeted Nurul Izzah on her new role. 鈥楥ongratulations on becoming the Vice President of your political party,鈥� he said.
The chief adviser highlighted Bangladesh鈥檚 recent political changes and the reforms undertaken by the interim government.
鈥榃e are going through a reform process. Our students took bullets on their chests and ousted the fascist Hasina regime. It started as a youth-led movement, but people from all classes joined,鈥� he said.
鈥楽tudents painted the walls and streets with the spirit of the July Uprising,鈥� he added.
He encouraged Malaysian firms to invest in Bangladesh.
鈥楢sia is ageing rapidly, but Bangladesh has a lot of young people. Half of our population is under 27. Set up your industries here and export from Bangladesh. It will help both our economies,鈥� he said.
The chief adviser鈥檚 special envoy for International Affairs, Lutfey Siddiqi, and senior secretary and SDG coordinator Lamiya Morshed were also present at the meeting.
