PUTRAJAYA, Aug 12 — Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep appreciation and thanked Malaysia for its continued support and hospitality towards Bangladeshi workers over the years.
He noted that many Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia were welcomed as friends, which helped them uplift their lives, provide support to their family members back home, and send their children to school.
“The Bangladeshi workers are being treated very well here, as a friend, as someone, as part of the family.
“So we want to thank Malaysia for hosting so many of our people, and we hope this door will remain open and continue to become wider...so that many more young Bangladeshis can come and work in Malaysia, as well as to learn and take this learning back home and start their businesses or set up their own economic activity," Yunus said.
He was speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in conjunction with his three-day official visit to Malaysia, which began yesterday.
Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, added that the cooperation has long-term mutual benefits.
In February, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said that Bangladeshi nationals make up the largest percentage of foreign workers in Malaysia, at 898,970 people.
Meanwhile, Anwar acknowledged the vital role of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia’s economic development, reaffirming the country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh through inclusive policies.
“So we have therefore placed Bangladesh as an important partner because your workers have been instrumental too in working together and contributing to our development.
“That is why I think the Home Minister (Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) and the Human Resources Minister have agreed on this multiple entry visa facility mainly to assist so that people, workers can go and meet their families and feel secure in their jobs,” he said.
The Home Ministry recently announced that the Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) facility for workers from Bangladesh takes effect on August 8.
Under this facility, foreign workers from Bangladesh with a valid Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) and Single Entry Visa (SEV) in the current year are not required to submit a separate MEV application.
The implementation of this MEV facility reflects Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Bangladesh, particularly in ethical and regulated labour cooperation. It also demonstrates Malaysia’s readiness to enhance facilitation and protection of the rights of lawful foreign workers, per labour laws and international best practices.
