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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: The Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur has brought essential consular services, including e-passport facilities, closer to expatriates living in Sarawak, a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo, through a two-day mobile consular camp held on October 10 and 11.
The initiative was designed to ease the difficulties faced by Bangladeshis living far from Kuala Lumpur, saving them the time and expense of travelling to the capital to access essential government services.
A delegation led by First Secretary Yasin Kabir, head of the High Commission’s Passport and Visa Wing, conducted the camp in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak.
The services included receiving e-passport applications, collecting biometric data such as fingerprints, distributing passports and providing guidance and legal assistance to expatriates facing various problems.
High Commission sources said the camp was part of ongoing efforts to make consular services more accessible to Bangladeshis living in remote parts of Malaysia.
More than 4,000 Bangladeshi expatriate workers live in Sarawak, where many are employed in construction, agriculture and plantation industries. Although their numbers are relatively small compared with those in other Malaysian states, they contribute to the local workforce across several sectors.
Sarawak, located in northwestern Borneo, is Malaysia’s largest state by area. Known for its rainforests, biodiversity and diverse indigenous cultures, it is also called the “Land of the Hornbills”.
Beyond consular services, Sarawak is emerging as a potential destination for expanding employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers.
During a high-level meeting in April 2026 between Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Malaysia and Sarawak Premier, the state government expressed in-principle interest in recruiting more workers from Bangladesh.
Discussions have been underway on facilitating the recruitment of skilled and general workers, particularly to address labour shortages in the construction sector and support development projects across the state. The two sides have also been considering the possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for recruitment.
However, no final decision or specific recruitment timeline has been announced. Any new employment opportunities will depend on the outcome of the discussions and the finalisation of the relevant arrangements.
The Bangladesh High Commission regularly organises mobile consular camps in different Malaysian states to provide passport services, offer guidance and help expatriates address various difficulties. Such initiatives are particularly valuable for workers who live far from Kuala Lumpur and may otherwise have to spend considerable time and money travelling to obtain official services.
The latest camp in Sarawak is expected to strengthen the High Commission’s engagement with the Bangladeshi expatriate community while improving access to essential consular assistance. Continued dialogue on labour recruitment could also create opportunities to expand employment prospects for Bangladeshi workers in the state.