Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to begin his first official foreign tour since taking office with a two-day visit to Malaysia on June 21–22, followed by a trip to China, with labour market issues and educational cooperation expected to dominate the agenda, according to officials.
The prime minister, who has emphasised austerity measures since assuming office, is expected to maintain a similar approach during the visit, travelling with a limited delegation instead of a large entourage. Sources said advisers are likely to play a more prominent role than ministers and state ministers.
According to officials, Tarique Rahman will travel to Malaysia on June 21 and June 22, before departing Kuala Lumpur for Beijing on June 23. He is scheduled to return home on June 26. The total number of accompanying delegates is estimated at around 20, though some members may return after the Malaysia leg of the tour, with possible changes ahead of the China visit.
Malaysia remains one of the largest destinations for Bangladeshi migrant workers, but its labour market has long faced challenges linked to syndicates, irregularities and administrative complications. The recruitment system has still not been fully reopened for Bangladeshi workers.
Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office said labour market issues will be given the highest priority during the visit. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on educational cooperation between the two countries is also under consideration.
Earlier in April, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin visited Kuala Lumpur. After returning, Mahdi Amin told journalists that efforts were underway to resume recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in the previously closed labour market.
The visit, at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has generated interest among Bangladeshis living in Malaysia. Many expatriates have expressed renewed hope surrounding the two-day tour. Some are calling for opportunities to legalise undocumented Bangladeshis, while students are demanding access to Malaysia’s “Graduate Pass” facility.
At present, international students from 32 countries in Malaysia are eligible for the “Graduate Pass”, which allows them to stay for one year after completing undergraduate or higher studies to seek employment without sponsorship. Bangladesh is not included in the list, prompting Bangladeshi students to demand inclusion as the 33rd eligible country.
Undocumented Bangladeshi expatriates have also urged the prime minister to raise the issue of legalisation during bilateral talks.
According to the itinerary, Tarique Rahman will arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on the evening of June 21. He is expected to attend an exchange meeting with expatriate professionals the same night.
Engineer Badlur Rahman Khan, president of the BNP Malaysia branch, said the prime minister would proceed directly to his hotel after arriving at the airport, with a possible courtesy meeting with community members later in the evening. “Since the visit is very short, there are no separate programmes planned,” he said.
Mahbub Alam Shah, senior vice president of the party, said the prime minister would have a busy schedule during the brief visit, with several bilateral meetings planned. Efforts are also underway to arrange an interaction session with the Bangladeshi community on June 22, alongside meetings with business stakeholders.
He added that as this is a state visit, party leaders and activists would not be allowed to gather at the airport, as the Malaysian government will formally receive the prime minister.
Tarique Rahman first visited Malaysia in 1997. He later travelled there frequently between 2001 and 2005 while serving as BNP’s senior joint secretary general during Khaleda Zia’s tenure as prime minister. He also visited Malaysia from London on June 2, 2014, while serving as BNP senior vice chairman.
This visit marks his first official overseas tour as prime minister, and observers say it is likely to be significant in terms of both diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation.