Zahid to focus on security cooperation during UK visit

Cooperation on security matters and fight against transnational crimes between Malaysia and the United Kingdom (UK) will be the focus of discussions during Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's four-day visit to the UK beginning today.

Ahmad Zahid who is scheduled to arrive here this evening (local time) will have a packed schedule encompassing immigration, human rights and violence prevention.

Malaysian High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Datuk Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi said the visit, the first by Ahmad Zahid as Deputy Prime Minister, is aimed at boosting bilateral ties in many aspects including security.

In this visit, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, among others is scheduled to meet British Home Secretary Theresa May on Tuesday.

"They are expected to touch on issues of mutual importance including immigration, transnational crimes, LGBT (Lesbianism, Gay, Bisexual and Transgenders) in the Islamic context and human rights issues," he told the Malaysian media here today.

Ahmad Rasidi said the Deputy Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet UK National Security Agency advisor Sir Mark Lyall Grant and attend a briefing session in London on modern day slavery.

Ahmad Zahid will also attend a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora in Manchester on Monday in which almost 200 Malaysians including students will attend, he said.

Several closed-door meetings have also been arranged for Ahmad Zahid including with the National Border Targeting Centre (NBTC) as well as meetings on violence prevention in Manchester on Tuesday.

On the last day of visit (Wednesday), the Deputy Prime Minister will deliver the keynote address at the Seventh World Chinese Economic Summit (WCES) as well as have a meeting with Hugo Swire, the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office UK, in London.

Ahmad Zahid is also scheduled to visit the Belmarsh Prison in London.

Besides being accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis, his delegation includes police Special Branch director Datuk Seri Mohamad Fuzi Harun and Immigration deputy director-general Datuk Sakib Kusmi.