Latest news with #OnukuFarm
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
‘More Orang Asli in varsity'
Farming the future: Ahmad Zahid (left) visiting Onuku Farm, a sheep and dairy farm in Rotorua, New Zealand, to review the best practices in the agricultural and livestock industries that can be emulated and adapted in Malaysia. Also present is the Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki (second from left). — Bernaa ROTORUA: More than 500 Orang Asli students have enrolled in local private and public universities to further their studies this year, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said this was among the achievements of the current administration to uplift the socioeconomic status of the community. 'Although the Orang Asli represent a minority group, the Madani government is committed to ensuring that they receive the necessary attention and support, thereby preventing them from being sidelined or left behind,' he stated to reporters following his participation in the Maori Business Roundtable discussions with Maori community leaders yesterday. He said the number of Orang Asli students enrolling in the local universities has been increasing since 2023. 'The 300 enrolment target set for 2023 was exceeded, and the enrolment also surpassed last year's target of 400 after it was increased. 'This year's target of 500 has also been surpassed,' he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid announced that he would soon chair a special meeting with the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) to establish an Orang Asli Business Council. He said the council will help expose the community to various viable business fields. He added a microcredit scheme would be established under Amanah Ikthiar Malaysia to offer small loans to Orang Asli women and mothers, enabling them to generate additional income for their families. 'We will also set up a TVET institution specifically for the Orang Asli,' he added. The Melaka government is also looking into turning the Orang Asli village in Gapam Baru in Selandar, Alor Gajah, into an international tourist attraction. He said further talks will be held to fine-tune the details of the proposal, including providing funds to promote the village. He added Cameron Highlands MP Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor, who also heads the Orang Asli Development Committee, will oversee the implementation of these proposals. Ramli is the nation's first Orang Asli MP, and he was subsequently appointed as Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker. There are slightly more than 200,000 Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia, who account for about 0.8% of the nation's population. Earlier, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, visited the Whakarewa Living Maori Village in an effort to learn how New Zealand's indigenous community manages their cultural and economic affairs. The Deputy Prime Minister is on a five-day working visit that began on July 14, with the aim of boosting bilateral ties and trade with New Zealand.
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Ahmad Zahid To Focus On Sharing Knowledge With Maori Community, Livestock Industry In Rotorua
GENERAL From Ahmad Erwan Othman AUCKLAND, July 15 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today continued his five-day working visit to New Zealand by visiting Rotorua, a cultural and geothermal tourism city about three hours' drive from Auckland City. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, is scheduled to attend a Maori Business Roundtable in the morning, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations in the social and community development fields. He and his delegation are also scheduled to visit the Whakarewa Living Maori Village, before enjoying a Geothermal Hangi lunch — a traditional Māori culinary experience that utilises geothermal heat to cook food. Before concluding his visit in Rotorua, Ahmad Zahid will visit Onuku Farm, a sheep and dairy farm, to review best practices in the agricultural and livestock industries that can be emulated and adapted in Malaysia. His working visit will then continue tomorrow (July 16) in the capital Wellington, with meetings with several senior New Zealand government leaders. Among the scheduled meetings are with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Law and Order David Seymour, Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka and Minister for Agriculture, Trade and Investment Todd McClay. Ahmad Zahid will also lead Malaysia's participation in the Halal Forum, which is jointly organised by the Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH) and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, as a platform to strengthen cooperation in the halal sector and food exports. In addition, he is scheduled to witness the signing of a document of understanding between the governments of the two countries in the field of higher education, as a step to expand opportunities for students sponsored by Malaysian agencies to the country.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Zahid to focus on sharing knowledge with Maori community, livestock industry in Rotorua
AUCKLAND: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today continued his five-day working visit to New Zealand by visiting Rotorua, a cultural and geothermal tourism city. Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, is scheduled to attend a Maori Business Roundtable in the morning, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations in the social and community development fields. He and his delegation are also scheduled to visit the Whakarewa Living Maori Village, before enjoying a Geothermal Hangi lunch. This traditional Māori culinary experience utilises geothermal heat to cook food. Before concluding his visit in Rotorua, Zahid will visit Onuku Farm, a sheep and dairy farm, to review best practices in the agricultural and livestock industries that can be emulated and adapted in Malaysia. His working visit will then continue tomorrow in the capital, Wellington, with meetings with several senior New Zealand government leaders. Among the scheduled meetings are with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Law and Order David Seymour, Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka and Minister for Agriculture, Trade and Investment Todd McClay. Zahid will also lead Malaysia's participation in the Halal Forum, which is jointly organised by the Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH) and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, as a platform to strengthen cooperation in the halal sector and food exports. In addition, he is scheduled to witness the signing of a document of understanding between the governments of the two countries in the field of higher education, as a step to expand opportunities for students sponsored by Malaysian agencies to the country. On Thursday, Zahid is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on New Zealand Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and attend a Welcome Ceremony with the Malaysian community in Wellington, which is expected to gather more than 250 Malaysians living in the country. The deputy prime minister is expected to conclude his working visit and depart for Kuala Lumpur on Friday. – BERNAMA
