Malaysia won’t extend entry deadline for migrant workers: Envoy

Malaysia will not extend the May 31 deadline for the entry of migrant workers into the Southeast Asian country, Malaysian High Commissioner in Dhaka Haznah Md Hashim has said.

The Malaysian envoy came up with her country’s decision while talking to reporters after meeting with State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury at the Probashi Kallyan Bhaban on Wednesday.

When asked whether the Malaysian government would reconsider the deadline, Ms Hashim noted that Malaysia recruits workers from 15 countries, applying the same time frame to all.

"Nothing exceptional has been done for Bangladesh. Malaysia wants to maintain the same policy for all countries," she added.

The Malaysian envoy, however, said that he would convey the Bangladesh state minister’s request to her government for extending the deadline for Bangladeshi workers to enter Malaysia.

Earlier on Tuesday, Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was quoted by the state-owned Bernama news agency as affirming that the government does not plan to extend the May 31 deadline.