Zahrain will boost Malaysia-Indonesia relations

The new Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia, Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohd Hashim, said among the efforts he would undertake was to foster closer Malaysia-Indonesia relations, especially among their people.

The former Bayan Baru member of parliament who regarded his appointment as a big responsibility, said although he did not have any diplomatic experience, he was confident he could carry it out with the help of diplomatic officers.

"This is my first cut as a diplomat. Prior to this, I was a businessman, corporate leader and politician," said Zahrain, who is a mathematics graduate from Leicester Polytechnic in the United Kingdom, Penang Port Sdn Bhd executive chairman and Federation of Malaysian Port Operating Companies ex-chairman.

"I thank the Malaysian Government on the appointment and for their confidence on my capability to carry out the responsibility," he told Bernama here on Thursday.

Zahrain said among his main tasks in Jakarta was to expand the network to foster the people-to-people relations, including the Indonesian media, to correct their perception on Malaysia.

He received his letter of candidacy to the post from the foreign ministry, about three weeks ago, and was now waiting for the letter of appointment from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to begin his new task.

Previously, Zahrain was an Umno member, becoming a Penang Umno Tanjung division head in 1999. He then hopped to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and was appointed Penang PKR chairman.

He then left PKR, following his unhappiness with its leadership in February 2010, and became an independent member of parliament who supported the Barisan Nasional.