Malaysia, Bangladesh Lead Regional Peace Delegation to Myanmar

Malaysia, Bangladesh, and other Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand are forming a joint delegation to Myanmar to advocate for peace and deliver humanitarian aid to Rohingya refugees, as announced by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. This initiative addresses the crisis faced by over one million Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar camp, the world's largest refugee settlement, amid escalating violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state. The mission, coordinated by Malaysia’s foreign minister, aims to secure peace in Myanmar and provide urgent assistance to refugees and earthquake victims. During Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus's visit to Malaysia, both countries signed agreements enhancing defense cooperation and energy infrastructure collaboration, and discussed expanding trade, migration, and worker welfare. Malaysia emphasized its commitment to support Bangladesh, recognizing the burden of hosting large numbers of Rohingya and facilitating the welfare of Bangladeshi migrant workers through visa policies and recruitment reforms. The leaders expressed a desire to deepen bilateral relations into a strategic partnership, focusing on transparent recruitment and increased opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi professionals in Malaysia.