Foreign Minister (FM) Dr A K Abdul Momen said Bangladeshi lawmaker (MP) Shahidul Islam Papul is being tried in Kuwait as a local resident.
The minister was talking to journalists on Wednesday on his recent Kuwait visit.
Responding to a question, the FM said the issue of Papul's arrest was not discussed in the official-level meeting during his visit to Kuwait a couple of days ago.
"But we've heard from unofficial sources that he is facing trial there as a local resident."
Papul recruited a number of people there from Bangladesh, and the authorities are looking into their recruitment process, the FM also said.
"It is alleged in the Kuwaiti media that he offered bribes to some Kuwaiti officials for recruiting people, but we are not informed anything about it officially."
Neither Papul nor any of his family members took diplomatic passports, which are issued to lawmakers.
The minister also mentioned that the decision on reopening Kuwaiti labour market for foreign workers was scheduled to be taken by its authorities concerned on Wednesday night.
"Kuwait is a good friend of us, and they praised the quality of Bangladeshi workers."
Dr Momen urged the Kuwait government to build refineries in Bangladesh to take advantage of its location.
"I told the Kuwaiti foreign minister that this will give them an advantage, if the gulf region faces tension."
Responding to a question, the FM said the government had earlier decided to stop 4G mobile network in Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar to prevent criminal activities there.
"But it faced opposition from the international NGOs."
He also made it clear that providing shelter to the refugees does not mean that Bangladesh is responsible for providing them with high living standard.
"Our priority is to repatriate them to their homeland in Myanmar as soon as possible, and after that they may avail the high standard of living there."
The minister added that instability in the region will pose a threat to the investments in Rakhine, made by the countries like China, Japan, South Korea and India.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
