PM opens Malaysia part of Asia tour

Malaysia rolled out a red carpet for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday as he arrived in Kuala Lumpur on his first official overseas visit since assuming office in February, underscoring the importance both countries attach to their bilateral relationship.

The Prime Minister landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 8:45pm local time aboard a special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.

He was accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and a 25-member high-level delegation comprising ministers, advisers and senior government officials.

Upon arrival at the Bunga Raya VVIP Complex, Rahman was received by Malaysia’s Minister for Religious Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan.

The reception included a ceremonial guard of honour and other official courtesies, reflecting the diplomatic significance of the visit.

A young girl presented a bouquet to Dr Zubaida Rahman during the welcome ceremony. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury and Deputy High Commissioner Mosammat Shahanara Monica were also present.

The Prime Minister later travelled in a ceremonial motorcade to the Shangri-La Hotel, where he will stay during the two-day visit.

Earlier in the day, Rahman departed Dhaka from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, where senior ministers and political leaders saw him off.

The delegation includes Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haq Chowdhury, Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmood Titumir, Civil Aviation and Tourism State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit.

Also accompanying the Prime Minister are Education, Primary and Mass Education, and Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Mahdi Amin; Foreign Affairs and Disaster Management Adviser Humaiun Kobir; Information and Communication Technology Adviser Rehan Asif Asad; Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Investment and Capital Markets Tanvir Gani; and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun.

The visit is taking place at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and is expected to focus on labour mobility, recruitment frameworks, trade expansion and investment cooperation.

Prime Minister Rahman is scheduled to hold a one-to-one meeting with Prime Minister Anwar on Monday, followed by delegation-level talks between the two sides.

Officials said labour market access for Bangladeshi workers will be a central issue in the discussions, alongside efforts to streamline recruitment procedures and strengthen long-term labour cooperation.

Ahead of the visit, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said Malaysia’s ongoing review of its foreign worker recruitment policy could create new opportunities for Bangladeshi workers.

He also highlighted Malaysia’s historic ties with Bangladesh and its importance as a key regional partner.

In addition to labour issues, the two countries are expected to discuss trade, education, cultural exchanges and investment opportunities.

Officials indicated that at least two memoranda of understanding may be signed during the visit, including agreements related to cultural cooperation and trade facilitation.

Following the Malaysia programme, the Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to the Chinese city of Dalian on Monday afternoon for a four-day visit to China.

The Malaysia-China tour is widely seen as an early test of the new government’s foreign policy approach, with a strong emphasis on economic diplomacy, labour migration and expanding international partnerships.