ID :
31117
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 17:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/31117
The shortlink copeid
M'SIA-SAUDI TIES - FROM HAJ TO INDUSTRIES
From Zulkefli Salleh
JEDDAH, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- It all began from haj; the cordial relations between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have now grown to include construction and services.
Fifty-three Malaysian companies are already operating in this country and
about 2,000 young Malaysian professionals are imparting their expertise for its
fast-paced development.
"The integrity and expertise of Malaysians are highly respected," said
Malaysian Consul-General in Jeddah Hidayat Abdul Hamid to Malaysian journalists
in the Tabung Haji media team covering this year's haj season.
"We hope the professionals and our pilgrims here will always maintain the
good image," he said.
He said the confidence and high regard given by the Saudi government to
Malaysian capabilities evolved from their interaction with the Malaysian
government and haj pilgrims since before the country achieved
independence.
"In fact, Malaysia's haj management is considered the best in the world and
serves as a benchmark for other countries," he said.
In appreciation of Malaysia's contributions to Islam, the Saudi government
gives full scholarships to Malaysian students and now, 130 Malaysians are
undergoing further studies in religious fields at University of Medina and a
number at Qura University in Mecca.
"We hope the Saudi government can offer seats for Malaysian students in
other fields in the future," Hidayat said.
He said the Saudi people who visited Malaysia this year were expected to
exceed 80,000, the figure registered last year.
"They respect us as a developed and modern Islamic country and its gentle
and courteous people," he said.
On Malaysian companies in Saudi Arabia, Hidayat said some were involved in
the expansion of Jamrah where haj pilgrims throw pebbles, signifying stoning of
the Devil, in Mina.
He said the Saudi government was building a four-storey complex at the
place
and Malaysia's ACPI was involved in supplying concrete structures for the whole
complex.
"We are proud because Malaysian companies were selected to contribute to
the
expansion of the holy site," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Mining Corporation (MMC) had been given the opportunity
to take part in the development of Jizan Economic City costing RM30 billion near
Yemen, he said. MMC is an investment holding company with interests in
"Transport & Logistics, Energy & Utilities and Engineering & Construction".
DRB-Hicom, Malaysia's single largest totally integrated automotive company,
planned to build an automobile plant there, he added.
Hidayat said Tenaga Nasional (main Malaysian energy provider), Malakoff
(energy provider) and Khazanah Nasional (the investment holding arm of the
Government of Malaysia) were also involved in an energy generation and seawater
desalination joint-venture in Shuhaiba, west of Saudi Arabia.
The project was expected to start operations early next year, he said and
added that he was told that Malaysia would be offered a similar project in the
future.
Another Malaysian company, AZRB, was involved in the contruction of King
Faizal University here, he said.
JEDDAH, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- It all began from haj; the cordial relations between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have now grown to include construction and services.
Fifty-three Malaysian companies are already operating in this country and
about 2,000 young Malaysian professionals are imparting their expertise for its
fast-paced development.
"The integrity and expertise of Malaysians are highly respected," said
Malaysian Consul-General in Jeddah Hidayat Abdul Hamid to Malaysian journalists
in the Tabung Haji media team covering this year's haj season.
"We hope the professionals and our pilgrims here will always maintain the
good image," he said.
He said the confidence and high regard given by the Saudi government to
Malaysian capabilities evolved from their interaction with the Malaysian
government and haj pilgrims since before the country achieved
independence.
"In fact, Malaysia's haj management is considered the best in the world and
serves as a benchmark for other countries," he said.
In appreciation of Malaysia's contributions to Islam, the Saudi government
gives full scholarships to Malaysian students and now, 130 Malaysians are
undergoing further studies in religious fields at University of Medina and a
number at Qura University in Mecca.
"We hope the Saudi government can offer seats for Malaysian students in
other fields in the future," Hidayat said.
He said the Saudi people who visited Malaysia this year were expected to
exceed 80,000, the figure registered last year.
"They respect us as a developed and modern Islamic country and its gentle
and courteous people," he said.
On Malaysian companies in Saudi Arabia, Hidayat said some were involved in
the expansion of Jamrah where haj pilgrims throw pebbles, signifying stoning of
the Devil, in Mina.
He said the Saudi government was building a four-storey complex at the
place
and Malaysia's ACPI was involved in supplying concrete structures for the whole
complex.
"We are proud because Malaysian companies were selected to contribute to
the
expansion of the holy site," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Mining Corporation (MMC) had been given the opportunity
to take part in the development of Jizan Economic City costing RM30 billion near
Yemen, he said. MMC is an investment holding company with interests in
"Transport & Logistics, Energy & Utilities and Engineering & Construction".
DRB-Hicom, Malaysia's single largest totally integrated automotive company,
planned to build an automobile plant there, he added.
Hidayat said Tenaga Nasional (main Malaysian energy provider), Malakoff
(energy provider) and Khazanah Nasional (the investment holding arm of the
Government of Malaysia) were also involved in an energy generation and seawater
desalination joint-venture in Shuhaiba, west of Saudi Arabia.
The project was expected to start operations early next year, he said and
added that he was told that Malaysia would be offered a similar project in the
future.
Another Malaysian company, AZRB, was involved in the contruction of King
Faizal University here, he said.
