New Zealand Requests Malaysia To Conduct Training In Anti-Terrorism And Deradicalisation

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), March 1 (Bernama) -- New Zealand has requested Malaysia to conduct training in the field of anti-terrorism and deradicalisation New Zealand's attorney general Christopher Finlayson, who is also the minister responsible for New Zealand's security intelligence agencies, conveyed the request to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when he called on the latter here Wednesday. According to Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, Finlayson was impressed by Malaysia's approach in anti-terrorism and deradicalisation. During their one-hour meeting, Finlayson had also requested Malaysia's expertise to counter cybercrime, he said. Ahmad Zahid said since the establishment of diplomatic relations on Sept 25, 1957, Malaysia and New Zealand had enjoyed close cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, education, defence, as well as people-to-people ties. "Malaysia is confident that relations between both countries could be further enhanced in key areas including trade and investment, education, defence, as well as food and agriculture," he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the meeting. Recognising that people-to-people contacts played a catalytic role to further deepen bilateral ties and cooperation, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia looked forward to materialising more exchange of visits at all levels. He said Malaysia and New Zealand would celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, with both sides having proposed several programmes to commemorate the event including logo competition, visits, forum and many others. -- BERNAMA