Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today strongly criticised the US congressman for his proposal to attach Myanmar’s Rakhine State with Bangladesh to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

“Each state is a sovereign one. Why they want to attach Rakhine State with us?” the prime minister said responding to query while briefing the media this afternoon.

She was briefing the media on her five-day official visit to China. The briefing begins around 4:00pm at her official Gono Bhaban residence.

“Myanmar is our neighbor. And I have sheltered the Rohingyas on humanitarian ground. The US man expressed his audacity by placing such proposal,” the PM said.

The premier also said: “Myanmar imposed its burden on us despite this I am still maintaining good relation with the country without initiating any hardline.”

According to US media report, Congressman Bradley Sherman, Chairman of Sub-committee on Asia Pacific of the Congress, made the proposal on June 13 during a hearing on the State Department’s budget for South Asia.

Sherman also called upon the State Department to consider the proposal of bringing Rakhine state of Myanmar under Bangladesh, the economic times reports quoting the US media report.

China to remain beside Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina said that China would do whatever necessary to accelerate repatriation of Rohingya people to Myanmar.

“China is attached to Myanmar. Despite this, it assured that it will talk to Myanmar for repatriating Rohingyas,” the prime minister said.

“China assured us it will remain beside Bangladesh in the repatriation of the Rohingyas. Is it not good news for us? Hasina responded to a query at the press briefing.  

Gas tariff hike

Responding to query about yesterday’s hartal protesting gas price hike, Hasina said, “If people want development then the price will have to be increased.” 

“There are two ways –either we will have importing LNG or halt development,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister went to China on July 1 at the invitation of her Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.

The gas price has been adjusted for the sake of economic progress and prosperity, she said. 

Age limit 35 not logical

The prime minster today ruled out the demand for increasing age limit for government service.

Responding to a query about increasing the age limit, Hasina said, it is not logical to increase the age limit to 35.

Responding to a query over the recent rape and death of a minor girl, Hasina called upon all to come forward against rape and warned that no rapist will be spared.

Hasina also praised Bangladesh National Cricket Team for their performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup. 

During her visit, Sheikh Hasina attended the annual meeting of World Economic Forum (WEF) in Dalian on July 2 as well as held bilateral talks with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on July 4 and 5 respectively.

Bangladesh and China signed nine instruments, including two loan agreements, for further strengthening cooperation on power, water resources, culture and tourism sectors as well as for providing 2,500 metric tonnes rice for the displaced Rohingyas.