Bangladesh and Malaysia have maintained strong bilateral ties, with Malaysia being the first Southeast Asian nation to acknowledge Bangladesh’s independence. Over time, the relationship between the two countries has deepened and broadened. The Bangladeshi expatriate community in Malaysia has played a significant role in enhancing the economies of both nations and fostering closer interpersonal connections.
Recent developments have further strengthened the bond between Bangladesh and Malaysia. Notably, during a period when I served as the high commissioner to Malaysia, two significant high-level visits occurred. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visited Bangladesh on October 4, 2024, marking the first visit by a head of government since the interim government took office. Additionally, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus visited Malaysia around mid-August of the same year.
The visit by the chief adviser resulted in the signing of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and three Exchange of Notes covering various sectors such as energy, higher education, defense, diplomat training, halal industry, collaboration between think tanks, and business communities. These agreements marked a pivotal moment in the bilateral relations between the two countries, moving away from a focus solely on labor exports and imports to a more strategic partnership. Further agreements related to research, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers were signed during this period, signaling significant progress.
During these visits, both leaders highlighted key areas for cooperation, including trade, investment, digital economy, renewable energy, STEM research, entrepreneurship, and people-to-people engagement. The commitment was made to elevate the Bangladesh-Malaysia relationship to a deeper and future-oriented strategic partnership. Efforts were also made to reset labor relations and diversify cooperation in other sectors such as trade and investment.
A significant number of stranded workers are expected to enter Malaysia following the finalization of a recruitment roadmap for those who missed the May 31, 2024 deadline. Bangladesh currently stands as the top source country for Malaysia’s foreign workforce, with Bangladeshi expatriates constituting 37% of the total. Both countries have agreed to establish a fair and transparent recruitment process, with Malaysia granting multiple-entry visa facilities to Bangladeshi workers in August 2025. Malaysia has also become a popular destination for Bangladeshi students pursuing higher education, with over 10,000 students currently enrolled there.
Furthermore, Malaysia is Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner in South Asia. Trade and investment were key topics of discussion during recent high-level visits, with plans to enhance the relationship through the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Despite being a significant source of foreign remittances for Bangladesh, Malaysia is also one of the top foreign investors in the country.
The Rohingya crisis was a prominent issue during bilateral talks, with calls for Malaysia to play a more active role as the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to facilitate Rohingya repatriation. Malaysia has committed to addressing the crisis at the regional level and mobilizing humanitarian assistance. Bangladesh, although not a member of Asean, aims to become a sectoral dialogue partner and act as a bridge between Asean and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).
During a visit to Malaysia on August 13, 2025, Prof. Yunus emphasized the potential for stronger collaboration between Bangladesh and Malaysia in education, research, trade, and investment. He expressed optimism that both countries could serve as a model for sustainable development and social progress through enhanced cooperation. The future trajectory of Bangladesh-Malaysia relations hinges on the follow-up actions taken post the recent visits, with mutual benefits expected for both nations.
Md Shameem Ahsan, who has served as a high commissioner/ambassador to Malaysia, Italy, and Nigeria, and as the elected president of the executive board of the World Food Programme in Rome, shared these insights.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.