Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is set to visit Malaysia on August 11

Bangladesh’s interim government Chief Adviser, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is set to visit Malaysia on August 11 for a bilateral engagement aimed at strengthening Bangladesh-Malaysia relations. The visit will focus on discussions regarding migration, investment, and regional security, with several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) expected to be signed, particularly emphasizing defense cooperation.

On August 12, Dr. Yunus will hold a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss matters of mutual interest. Sources indicate that the talks will prioritize economic cooperation, labor migration, and regional issues, with several MoUs likely to be signed based on the priorities of both nations.

This visit follows Anwar Ibrahim’s trip to Dhaka in October 2024, which marked the first visit by a foreign head of state since the interim government, led by Dr. Yunus, assumed power on August 8, 2024. During that visit, discussions centered on migration, ensuring transparency in the labor market, safe migration, investment, bilateral trade, industrial cooperation, defense, training, and strategic coordination to address the Rohingya crisis. These topics are expected to dominate Dr. Yunus’s upcoming Malaysia visit, with agreements likely to be formalized in these areas. When asked whether political issues or elections would be discussed during the bilateral meeting, a reliable source told Kalbela that the talks would primarily focus on mutual interests. However, political or electoral matters could be raised if Malaysia expresses interest in discussing them. Additionally, there are indications that Dr. Yunus may travel to Indonesia after concluding his Malaysia visit. An official from a relevant mission in Dhaka told Kalbela that Indonesia has shown interest in hosting Dr. Yunus, and discussions regarding the visit’s agenda are ongoing with Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry. While no final decision has been confirmed, sources suggest that Dr. Yunus could travel to Indonesia on August 13. If the visit takes place, talks may focus on energy, trade, health, regional security, and the Rohingya crisis. There is also potential for MoUs in education (scholarships for higher education) and fisheries. Indonesia has already expressed interest in energy technology exchange, renewable energy, and LNG supply with Bangladesh. Dr. Yunus’s potential visit could lead to discussions on joint energy projects, long-term supply agreements, Indonesian investment in Bangladesh, a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and market access for Bangladeshi products.