JAKARTA, April 22 — Cooperation in the halal industry, fisheries, higher education, and the issue of Gaza were among the matters discussed during Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s courtesy call on President Prabowo Subianto here today.
Zahid said both countries had agreed in principle that the halal logo of Malaysia’s Islamic Development Department be used for halal products exported to Indonesia instead of developing a new standard operating procedure.
“Malaysia will also recognise Indonesia’s halal certification for products exported to Malaysia,” Zahid told the media after paying a courtesy call on Prabowo at Merdeka Palace here today.
Zahid said that during the meeting, he proposed a halal industry forum, to be jointly organised by Malaysia and Indonesia, be held at the regional level, in addition to conveying the intention to establish the Asean Halal Council to the Asean Secretariat for approval.
“The Asean Halal Council must be established not only to coordinate the issuance of halal certificates, but to make Asean a major market for products among Asean countries,” he said.
On the issue of fishermen along the maritime borders of both countries, Zahid said he and Prabowo agreed that those who cross into each other’s territorial waters should first be warned, based on a memorandum of understanding signed in 2012.
“We urge Malaysian fishermen to continue using the Automatic Identification System and not switch it off while in the Straits of Malacca, as our authorities will be monitoring their position or location,” he said.
He said this should be emphasised by authorities in both countries to preserve good relations between the two nations.
The two leaders also stressed efforts to promote Malaysian higher education in technical, engineering and professional fields in Indonesia so more Indonesian students can further their studies in Malaysia.
In another development, Zahid said he and Prabowo shared the same stance on the Zionist Israeli regime’s attacks in Gaza, Palestine, which was that a permanent ceasefire be implemented and the entry of humanitarian aid facilitated.
“We jointly call on the international community to unite towards this effort so that reconstruction in Gaza and Palestine can take place,” he said.
Commenting on his official visit, Zahid said he was very satisfied as matters beyond the framework of bilateral ties, regional politics and geo-economics, and even international affairs, had been discussed.
“We hope there will be follow-through by Wisma Putra and the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, as well as other departments,” he said.
Zahid concluded his three-day official visit to Indonesia today and departed Soekarno Hatta International Airport at 8.19pm local time.
— Bernama
