Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus holds talks with former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo city of Japan on Thursday. — PID TOKYO, May 29 (UNB): Chief Adviser (CA) Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday urged former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to assist Bangladesh in its bid to become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"As Bangladesh is actively seeking ASEAN membership, Professor Yunus sincerely requested Mahathir Mohamad to look into the matter, leveraging his stature and reputation," CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters on the outcome of the meeting between Prof Yunus and Mahathir Mohamad held on the sidelines of the Nikkei Forum: 30th Future of Asia.
They discussed issues of mutual interest during the 40-minute meeting, including Bangladesh's desire to become an ASEAN member and Rohingya repatriation.
The Press Secretary said Mahathir assured he would always remain a friend of Bangladesh and pledged his support in Bangladesh's efforts to secure ASEAN membership.
Bangladesh applied to become a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN several years ago with the aim of becoming a full member. Malaysia is the current chair of the South East Asian grouping.
"We need Malaysia's support to become an ASEAN member," the Chief Adviser told Mahathir, who played a key role in establishing ASEAN as a powerful regional body during his time as the Malaysian Prime Minister.
After delivering his speech at the Nikkei Forum, the Press Secretary said Prof Yunus met with Dr Mahathir and revisited the memories they shared during their decades-long friendship.
Since Mahathir will turn 100 years old on July 10, he said the Chief Adviser wished him an advance 'Happy Birthday' and conveyed his birthday wishes.
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