Malaysia and Bangladesh pledged to strengthen cooperation through ASEAN mechanisms to address the longstanding Rohingya refugee crisis, including direct engagement with Myanmar authorities. The announcement came during a joint press conference held June 22, 2026, in Putrajaya by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman [1, 2, 3, 4].
Tarique Rahman expressed deep concern over the humanitarian conditions facing Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. He thanked Malaysia for its ongoing support aimed at ensuring the refugees' safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar [1, 2, 3, 4]. Anwar highlighted the collective effort to influence a resolution through ASEAN, saying, "Through our common effort to try and work in influence to resolve the predicament of refugees, Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and also here...to engage with the Myanmar authorities to resolve part of the issue" [2].
At the press conference, the leaders also discussed broader regional cooperation areas, including trade, investment, human resources, semiconductors, energy, agriculture, education, counter-terrorism, and cultural exchanges [1]. Bangladesh showed interest in deepening ties with ASEAN by becoming a sectoral dialogue partner and joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade bloc [2].
UNHCR data cited at the press briefing noted that Myanmar nationals form the largest refugee group in Malaysia, with 193,824 Rohingya refugees, 15,774 Chin refugees, and 33,002 from other ethnic minorities [2].
Beyond the refugee situation, Anwar and Tarique exchanged views on regional and international conflicts, including the suffering in Gaza and Palestine. Anwar said Malaysia and Bangladesh "stand together on this matter and will continue to interact with all friends to ensure that peace can be achieved" [4].
The joint announcement follows Tarique Rahman's arrival in Malaysia on June 21 for a two-day official visit, during which these issues were discussed [1, 4]. The leaders’ next steps include advancing ASEAN engagement with Myanmar and continuing collaboration on the Rohingya crisis through regional diplomatic channels.
