Latest news with #AhmadErwanOthman
Barnama
2 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Ahmad Zahid Expresses Regrets Over Cynicism On Visit To NZ
GENERAL Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi holds a press conference in conjunction with the final day of his official working visit to New Zealand today. By Ahmad Erwan Othman WELLINGTON, July 18 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed regret over the actions of certain quarters who belittled his working visit to New Zealand. He said such criticisms were inappropriate and served only to undermine his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new opportunities for Malaysia. "In every working visit, my primary objective is to acquire knowledge, exchange experiences, and identify strategic areas that can benefit the country and the people," he said. "Politics will always be a subject of discussion among politicians, be it ministers, deputy prime ministers, or even prime ministers who are abroad, but such cynicism should not be entertained. 'What is important in working visits, or official visits, are valuable opportunities to gain insights and discover areas not yet developed in Malaysia, which can then be explored,' he told Malaysian journalists at the end of a five-day working visit to New Zealand here Saturday (Friday in Malaysia). Also present were Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki and John K Samuel, the Undersecretary of the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Oceania Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said that sincerity and openness to feedback, and a willingness to learn from other countries should be prioritised—rather than being caught in a cycle of unconstructive criticism. 'If it's good, ask your friends. If it's not good, ask your enemies. Enemies are those who dislike we do will never be good enough for them. But don't be arrogant. Don't be arrogant. Don't be arrogant,' he emphasised.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Ahmad Zahid Visits Wellington Bookshop, Shares Passion For Reading
GENERAL From Ahmad Erwan Othman WELLINGTON, July 17 (Bernama) -- Amid a tight schedule during his official working visit to New Zealand, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made time to visit Unity Book Store, an iconic bookshop located in the heart of Wellington. In a Facebook post, he described books as a window to knowledge that opens up insights across geographical and cultural borders. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said he believed that reading, appreciation, and the lifelong pursuit of knowledge must never stop. He said each page of a book carries the thoughts, history, views and hopes of people from various backgrounds. 'That is why I am always inspired to seek and explore different parts of the world through reading, wherever I am. What about you? What book are you reading today?' he said. The short visit to the bookshop took place on the fourth day of his official visit, during which he also held bilateral discussions with New Zealand's Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Trade and Investment, Todd McClay, and visited the National Crisis Management Centre (Beehive Bunker) in Wellington. Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to conclude his working visit and depart for Kuala Lumpur tomorrow. --BERNAMA
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
New Zealand Seeks Strategic Partnership With Malaysia In Halal Industry, Regional Trade
GENERAL From Ahmad Erwan Othman WELLINGTON, July 17 (Bernama) -- New Zealand has expressed a strong interest in forging closer cooperation with Malaysia in the halal industry and has chosen Malaysia as a key strategic partner, particularly in trade across the Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed that this commitment was conveyed by New Zealand's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Trade, and Investment, Todd McClay, during their bilateral meeting today. 'The New Zealand government aims to be a strategic partner to Malaysia, not only in halal certification but also by leveraging Malaysia as a gateway to the ASEAN market, which has a population exceeding 600 million,' Ahmad Zahid told reporters after the meeting. The discussion followed Ahmad Zahid's visit to the National Crisis Management Centre (Beehive Bunker), New Zealand's strategic government control centre for disaster and emergency response. During the meeting that touched on various strategic matters, Ahmad Zahid said McClay also expressed willingness to accept Malaysian agricultural exports, particularly tropical fruits such as pineapples. Additionally, he said Malaysian companies were invited to invest in New Zealand's construction sector. 'Overall, this meeting reached a strategic agreement to broaden bilateral trade relations, including active New Zealand involvement in platforms such as the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP),' he said. Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that Malaysia-New Zealand relations will continue to grow as a model of strategic cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
DPM Ahmad Zahid Pushes To Boost Malaysia-NZ Cooperation On Disaster Management
GENERAL From Ahmad Erwan Othman WELLINGTON, July 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and New Zealand have the potential to strengthen cooperation in disaster management through a more holistic approach, following Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's visit to the National Crisis Management Centre here today. The visit to the centre, also known as the Beehive Bunker, is seen as opening a new chapter in emergency and disaster management collaboration between the two countries. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, said the visit was not merely symbolic but aimed at expanding strategic cooperation encompassing information sharing, education, and disaster safety training, including rescue simulations and disaster victim logistics management. 'Malaysia and New Zealand have long enjoyed cooperation in various fields, but disaster management remains an area with great potential to be enhanced bilaterally,' he told reporters here. He also welcomed the progress in ongoing negotiations between the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency, which are working towards finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the near future. 'I am confident this effort will serve as a landmark for more coordinated, structured and effective cooperation between the two countries, for the safety of the people and stronger regional preparedness,' he said. Ahmad Zahid's visit to the Beehive Bunker, located within the New Zealand Parliament building, was joined by an official delegation and senior Malaysian government officials. The Deputy Prime Minister will conclude his five-day working visit to New Zealand and depart for Kuala Lumpur on Friday (July 18).
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia Eyes Role As Halal Export Gateway Between ASEAN And Oceania
From Ahmad Erwan Othman WELLINGTON, July 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has expressed its readiness to serve as the primary distribution hub for halal products from New Zealand into ASEAN markets, as part of efforts to strengthen the regional and global halal ecosystem, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman, said two halal certification bodies in New Zealand have already been recognised by the Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) and can play a vital role in driving the export of halal products from that region. 'I have invited New Zealand halal industry players to participate in MIHAS (Malaysia International Halal Showcase) in December. ' At that time, we will announce the establishment of the ASEAN Halal Council, as well as ASEAN Plus Three (APT), aimed at harmonising regional halal certification standards,' he told a press conference after the Halal Forum and Tea Session with New Zealand's Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety, Andrew Hoggard, here today. This marks the third day of Ahmad Zahid's five-day working visit to New Zealand. He said another key strategy to facilitate New Zealand's entry into Southeast Asian markets through Malaysia is by extending halal certification recognition to organisations within the country. 'I've taken the opportunity here in Wellington to push for stronger collaboration between Malaysia and New Zealand, particularly on promoting ASEAN halal products into the Asia-Pacific region,' he said. He stressed that the collaboration is vital to supporting growth in the global halal market, which is projected to reach US$5 trillion by 2050, with Malaysia targeting at least a five per cent share of the global market.
