By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil
JAKARTA, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- Strengthening cooperation in the halal industry and disaster management will be among the key focuses of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s four-day working visit to Jakarta from Thursday.
Malaysia’s Ambassador-designate to Indonesia Datuk Muzaffar Shah Mustafa said another highlight would be Ahmad Zahid’s meeting with Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation, particularly in strategic areas of mutual interest.
“This visit will serve as a crucial platform, especially for advancing several ongoing bilateral initiatives, including halal development, rural development, disaster management, border and maritime issues, trade and economic connectivity, as well as cooperation in education and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training),” he told reporters here Wednesday.
The visit, which runs until Sept 20, is at the invitation of Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH) in conjunction with the fifth Halal 20 (H20) Summit.
Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony on Sept 18 and serve as a panellist in a session on regional halal cooperation.
Muzaffar said Malaysia viewed the H20 as an important platform for strengthening dialogue among governments, halal authorities and industry players to develop a more integrated, complementary and globally competitive halal ecosystem.
“Malaysia and Indonesia are key players in the halal ecosystem, and we believe both nations should collaborate to spearhead closer cooperation, particularly at the ASEAN level, and drive regional halal development that can be further expanded globally,” he said.
He said a proposal to establish an ASEAN Halal Council, with Malaysia and Indonesia as the main drivers, was also being discussed and was expected to be further refined during Ahmad Zahid’s visit.
At the bilateral level, Muzaffar said Malaysia remains committed to strengthening cooperation between the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and BPJPH, with the memorandum of cooperation previously signed between the two agencies extended until June 8, 2029.
According to him, trade between Malaysia and Indonesia involving halal-related goods and products is estimated at between US$2 billion (RM8.16 billion) and US$3 billion (RM12.24 billion) annually.
On disaster management, Muzaffar said Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee, is expected to discuss cooperation with relevant Indonesian authorities following forest fires in the country that had also affected Malaysia.
“Malaysia is ready to assist if requested by the Indonesian government. We have already prepared the necessary personnel and equipment to assist Indonesia in this matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muzaffar said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is scheduled to be signed during the visit between Malaysia’s Ministry of Rural and Regional Development and Indonesia’s Ministry of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration to strengthen cooperation in rural development.
Ahmad Zahid is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development.
-- BERNAMA