PM tells Parliament Malaysia and China visits were aimed at protecting Bangladesh’s interests
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told the National Parliament on Saturday that his recent visits to Malaysia and China were aimed at speaking for Bangladesh’s interests and protecting them, saying there was “no personal matter” involved in the trips.
Speaking in Parliament, Tarique Rahman said the people of Bangladesh had entrusted his government with the responsibility of safeguarding their interests. He said his party uses the slogan “Bangladesh First”.
“I have tried, from my position, to speak about the interests of the country’s people and to protect those interests. There is no personal matter here for any of us,” the prime minister said.
“If anything good has been achieved, it is Bangladesh’s achievement. If the people of the country have gained anything through this visit, it is their achievement,” he added.
Earlier on Saturday, Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir placed a motion of thanks in Parliament for the “remarkable success” of the prime minister’s Malaysia and China tours.
Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman spoke in support of the motion, which was later adopted unanimously.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was not present in the chamber when the motion was passed.
Shortly before 1pm, when the prime minister entered Parliament, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed informed him that the motion of thanks had been adopted.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said lawmakers from both the government and the opposition had thanked the prime minister through speeches in the House and passed a motion in his honour. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said members had expressed the view that the recent visits to Malaysia and China had enhanced the country’s prestige and opened “a new horizon” for Bangladesh’s economy and foreign policy.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman later thanked everyone, including the opposition leader, for encouraging him to work for the country and its people.
