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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: The visit of 34 lawmakers from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami to Malaysia has drawn attention in political and expatriate circles in Kuala Lumpur, with a meeting with Malaysian politician and former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik focusing on political reform, transparency and accountability.
Maszlee, who chairs the International Affairs Bureau of Malaysia’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and is associated with the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia, described the engagement as an “educational visit” by the Bangladeshi lawmakers.
In a social media post, Maszlee said he was honoured to receive the Jamaat MPs and share views on the challenges facing reform-oriented political parties around the world.
The discussions covered the role of parliamentarians in changing political environments and the need for lawmakers to place greater emphasis on transparency, truthfulness, integrity and accountability, according to Maszlee.
The meeting also touched on Professor Ziauddin Sardar’s concept of “Postnormal Times” and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s concept of “Madani”.
Maszlee said contemporary lawmakers should move beyond traditional political practices, listen to citizens and respond to their expectations.
He also said he gained insights from the experiences of the visiting lawmakers, some of whom had previously served in Bangladesh’s parliament. He noted that some of the MPs had received education in Western countries, while others had built their political careers through grassroots activities.
Maszlee also referred to Jamaat’s network of professionals and academics and expressed hope that the visiting lawmakers would find the Malaysian experience useful and apply relevant lessons after returning to Bangladesh.
According to a list obtained by this correspondent, the 34 lawmakers and their wives arrived in Malaysia on September 13 on an AirAsia flight from Dhaka to Kuala Lumpur. They were accompanied by Mohammed Selim Uddin, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka Metropolitan North unit.
A source said former lawmaker Major (retd) Mohammed Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan also attended the programme, although his name was not included in the list.
The visiting lawmakers include Md Nurul Amin from Rangpur-6, Mohammad Kamal Hossain from Dhaka-5, Md Abul Kalam Azad from Khulna-6, Masud Sayeedi from Pirojpur-1, Md Rashedul Islam Rashed from Sherpur-1, SK Jahangir Hossain Helal from Khulna-2 and Sheikh Manjurul Haque Rashed from Bagerhat-2.
Others include Md Masud Parvez from Chuadanga-1, Md Enamul Haque from Naogaon-2, Md Ruhul Amin from Chuadanga-2, Salahuddin from Gazipur-4, Md Mostafizur Rahman from Kurigram-4, Md Ataur Rahman from Narail-2, Syed Zainul Abedin from Dhaka-4 and Md Kamrul Hasan from Mymensingh-6.
The list also includes Abdul Muntakim from Nilphamari-4, Md Anwarul Islam from Kurigram-1, Md Abdul Wares from Gaibandha-5, Md Majedur Rahman from Gaibandha-1, Alfaruk Abdul Latif from Nilphamari-2, Mohammad Zahirul Islam from Chattogram-16, Md Fazlur Rahman from Joypurhat-1, Md Abdul Sattar from Nilphamari-1, Md Mizanur Rahman from Chapainawabganj-2, Mohammad Ali Asgar from Pabna-3, Md Abu Taleb Mondal from Pabna-4, Md Raihan Shirazi from Rangpur-1, Obaidullah Salafi from Nilphamari-3, Masum Mostafa from Netrokona-5, Md Tajuddin Khan from Meherpur-1, Md Afzal Hossain from Kushtia-4, Md Abdul Karim from Gaibandha-2, Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem from Dhaka-14 and Gazi Enamul Haque from Jashore-5.
The group therefore comprised 34 parliamentarians and one accompanying party leader, while the lawmakers’ wives were also part of the travelling group.
The visit has attracted interest among Bangladeshis living in Malaysia, particularly because of the participation of a Malaysian politician associated with PKR and Islamic research institutions and the focus of the discussions on political reform and parliamentary responsibilities.
There has been no public announcement so far of a formal Jamaat organisational programme in Malaysia, including any meeting with expatriate Jamaat leaders or activists or plans for organisational expansion.
The nature and scope of the visit beyond the educational and political discussions will become clearer through further programmes and statements from the participants.
