Malaysian Minister for Higher Education Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir held a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus

DHAKA, Dec 18, 2024 (BSS) - Malaysia would continue to support Bangladesh, including resolving the Rohingya humanitarian crisis and Bangladesh's inclusion as a sectoral dialogue partner of the ASEAN.

"We are looking forward to closer ties with Bangladesh," said Malaysian Higher Education Minister Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir when he called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the St. Regis Hotel in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, today.

During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interest between the two countries, including the recruitment of Bangladeshis in Malaysia, expansion of higher education ties, the Rohingya crisis, and the possibilities of Bangladesh's joining to ASEAN, according to a message received here.

On Rohinga issue, the Chief Adviser said he has proposed an international conference on the Rohingya crisis, and he expects Malaysia to extend support to the move.

He said more than 80,000 new Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh in recent months after the latest bout of violence gripped Myanmar's Rakhine state, which have been home to the Rohingya people for centuries.

Prof Yunus said he also favoured creating an UN-supervised safe zone for the displaced people in Rakhine state in an effort to assist the violence-plagued region.

During the meeting, Prof Yunus said his government planned to hold elections by the first half of 2026, the message added.