MALAYSIA and Bangladesh have formalised a renewed era of strategic cooperation through the signing of eight memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and exchanges of notes across key sectors, including education, defence, energy, trade, and the halal ecosystem.
The signing ceremony, held at the Perdana Putra Complex on Tuesday, was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, during the latter’s official visit to Malaysia.
“These efforts will strengthen strategic cooperation and stimulate economic growth while creating new avenues of collaboration,” said Anwar, expressing confidence in the long-term impact of the agreements.
Diplomatic cooperation was formalised with an exchange of notes between Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Bangladesh’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Md Touhid Hossain, aimed at enhancing diplomatic training and engagement.
On the education front, Mohamad also represented the Ministry of Higher Education in a separate exchange with Dr Asif Nazrul, Adviser to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. This agreement facilitates academic collaboration and student mobility.
Defence relations were notably strengthened through a MoU signed between Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Md Touhid Hossain. The agreement focuses on joint military training, defence technology cooperation, and regional security enhancement.
In the energy sector, Finance Minister II and Acting Minister of Economy, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, signed a MoU with M Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to Bangladesh’s Ministry overseeing energy and transport. The deal encompasses the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG), infrastructure development, and petroleum-based collaboration.
To boost halal industry development, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs, Dr Zulkifli Hasan, exchanged notes with Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
Think tank cooperation was also expanded through a MoU between Datuk Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Chairman of Malaysia’s Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), and Bangladesh High Commissioner Md Shameem Ahsan.
Technological and industrial ties were reinforced through an agreement between MIMOS Services CEO Mohamad Fauzi Yahaya and Shabbir Ahmed Khan, President of the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI).
During a joint press conference, Anwar also stressed Malaysia’s commitment to resolving the protracted humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, particularly the plight of Rohingya refugees hosted by Bangladesh.
“Of course, we are concerned with the burden borne by Bangladesh in accommodating the large number of Rohingya refugees,” said Anwar. “Ensuring peace in Myanmar remains a top priority, along with urgent humanitarian aid, primarily for the refugees and also for earthquake victims.”
He announced that Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan would soon lead a Malaysian delegation alongside Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand on an ASEAN visit to Myanmar.
“I commend the authorities in Bangladesh for their initiatives at multilateral forums in New York, Qatar, and here in Malaysia,” Anwar said. “This coordinated effort aims to achieve peace and address atrocities against minority groups and the people of Myanmar in a just manner.”
Among those present at the ceremony were Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. - August 12, 2025
