WELLINGTON: Malaysia is seeking to expand cooperation with New Zealand in disaster management, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said this comes as the national disaster management agencies of both countries are in talks to ink an agreement to strengthen collaboration in several areas.
“Malaysia and New Zealand have long established cooperation in various fields but disaster management still has ample room to be strengthened bilaterally,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee (Nadma), said talks with New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) are at its final stage for the drafting of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
He noted that there is vast potential for both nations to strengthen bilateral cooperation in disaster management in a more holistic manner.
“I am confident this effort will become a milestone in fostering more organised, structured and effective cooperation between our two countries.
“Such efforts are crucial to ensure better safety of our people while developing stronger regional preparedness.”
Ahmad Zahid added that the proposed collaboration will see strategic cooperation involving information sharing, disaster safety education and training.
This includes rescue simulations and logistics management of disaster victims.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid visited the “Beehive Bunker” located within New Zealand’s Parliament building. The bunker serves as New Zealand’s National Crisis Management Centre, which is designed to be self-sufficient in the event of a disaster.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid met up with the Malaysian community at a dinner gathering attended by some 250 Malaysians.
He also announced a special allocation of RM250,000 to the Malaysian High Commission in New Zealand.
He said the allocation would enable Malaysians in New Zealand to celebrate National Day on Aug 31 in a grander and lively manner this year.
The Deputy Prime Minister said he noticed that Malaysians living abroad displayed a strong sense of unity and love for the country whenever he went abroad.
He said events held at Rumah Malaysia in Wellington are usually sponsored by Malaysian companies in New Zealand.
Ahmad Zahid will conclude his five-day working visit to New Zealand today.
