Missing Bangladeshi expat returns home after 27 years in Malaysia
Dhaka: In an emotional reunion, a Bangladeshi expatriate who had been missing for 27 years has finally returned home from Malaysia, bringing relief and closure to his long-waiting family.
Amir Hossain Talukdar (62), a resident of Naria upazila in Shariatpur, arrived in Dhaka at 12:20 am on April 22 on Batik Air Flight 162. He was received at the airport with the support of Civil Aviation Security (AVSEC), the expatriate welfare desk, and officials from BRAC’s migration program, alongside his family members.
The reunion turned deeply emotional as his son, Babu Talukdar, met his father after nearly three decades. BRAC later arranged for Amir to be taken back to his home in Shariatpur and confirmed that necessary medical treatment and support would be provided, considering his physical and mental condition.
According to family accounts shared by BRAC, Amir Hossain had traveled to Malaysia in 1996 in search of work. He initially maintained regular contact with his family for about three years and even sent money home. However, communication suddenly ceased, and for the next 27 years, the family had no information about his whereabouts, eventually fearing he had died.
His son said Amir worked as a painter in Malaysia and stayed in touch during the early years before disappearing without explanation.
BRAC said the breakthrough came recently when a group of Bangladeshi expatriates in Malaysia discovered him living in a small tin shed in an area in Penang in a mentally unstable condition. They rescued him and shared photos and videos on social media, which drew widespread attention.
The case gained traction through the efforts of expatriate journalist Bappi Kumar Das and another Bangladeshi expatriate known as Dipu in Penang, who helped circulate the information online and informed BRAC. The family in Bangladesh was then able to identify him.
Following verification, the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia issued him a travel pass, facilitating his return home.
Shariful Hasan, Associate Director of Migration and Youth Platform at BRAC, described the incident as deeply painful, noting that a man had remained out of contact with his family for nearly three decades. He emphasized that the role played by expatriate Bangladeshis in locating Amir was crucial.
“This is not just the return of an individual, but the end of a family’s long wait,” he said, adding that the incident highlights the uncertainties faced by migrant workers. He also stressed the need for maintaining a comprehensive database of expatriates to ensure their safety and traceability in times of crisis.
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