The chief adviser of Bangladesh appeals to Mahathir for help in gaining admission for his country into ASEAN.

Bangladeshi Chief Adviser Requests Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir to Help Bangladesh Join ASEAN

According to the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS News) news portal on Thursday, Bangladeshi Interim Government Leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has requested Malaysian veteran politician, 99-year-old former Prime Minister and "architect of Malaysia's economic miracle," Mahathir Muhammad, to help Bangladesh join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The media report stated: "Interim Government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus appealed to former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Muhammad to utilize his prestige in Malaysia to help Bangladesh join ASEAN."

According to the ASEAN tradition of rotating the chairmanship annually, Malaysia will assume the chairmanship of the regional organization in 2025.

The meeting between the two political figures took place during the 30th "Future of Asia Forum" hosted by Nikkei Media Group in Tokyo.

Quoting Yunus' press secretary Shafiq Alam briefing reporters on the outcome of the meeting, the BSS reported that as Bangladesh is actively seeking membership in ASEAN, the chief adviser requested Mahathir Muhammad to use his influence to consider this issue.

"Mahathir guaranteed that he would always be a friend of Bangladesh and promised to support Bangladesh's efforts to join ASEAN," the portal quoted the press secretary as saying.

In addition, during the meeting, the interim government leader of Bangladesh also congratulated Mahathir Muhammad on his upcoming centenary: the Malaysian politician will turn 100 on July 10.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833472523450440/

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