Forging bonds: Anwar meeting with Minnikhanov at Perdana Putra, Putrajaya. — Photo taken from Anwar’s Facebook
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia stands ready to help the Bangladesh interim government rebuild the country, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said this was among issues raised during a telephone call to Chief Advisor for the Interim Government of Bangladesh Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday night.
“Prof Muhammad Yunus has long-standing good ties with Malaysia.
“I assured him that Malaysia stands ready to help and support the interim government in rebuilding and restoring peace and security in Bangladesh,” Anwar said in his Facebook post, Bernama reported.
Anwar had called Muhamad Yunus to personally congratulate “an old friend” on his appointment.The Prime Minister said that he is also pleased with assurances by the chief adviser to protect the rights of all Bangladeshis, including minorities.
“Prof Yunus has invited me to undertake a short visit to Bangladesh as soon as possible to further strengthen the brotherly relationship between the two countries,” he added.
The 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took the oath of office on Aug 8 to lead a 17-member transitional government in Bangladesh.
This development followed weeks of protests that led to the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government.
The Prime Minister also held discussions with visiting President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov.
“Our discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties between Russia and the Islamic world.
“Particularly with regard to the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
“We also touched on Malaysia’s potential membership in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) coalition, and I reiterated our commitment to this initiative, as previously expressed to Russia,” Anwar said.
The Prime Minister and Minnikhanov also took the opportunity to explore potential areas for expanded cooperation, particularly within the halal sector.
