MANILA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrived here this evening amid an atmosphere of regional camaraderie against the growing threat of extremism.
Awaiting him is a plethora of regional and global issues concerning crime and terrorism.
He will also help draft cohesive plans against common enemies when he attends the 11th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC).
He is also slated to attend the second Special Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism.
Zahid and his wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis were greeted by Malaysia’s ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Raszlan Abdul Rashid and defence attache Col Hamzah Ali.
Zahid had earlier touched down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at about 8pm.
Zahid was swiftly ushered to the Conrad Manila Hotel and arrived at 8.20pm to chair a pre-council meeting for the Malaysian delegation, which includes Home Ministry officials led by deputy secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ibrahim.
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, will kick off his visit with a courtesy call to the head of Philippine delegation Catalino S. Cuy tomorrow morning.
Shortly before the opening ceremony, Malaysia, which chaired the 10th series of the AMMTC, will officially pass the baton to the Philippines.
Following the plenary meeting, the AMMTC will also include a special consultative session with Japan.
Zahid will end the first day of his visit with a meet-and-greet session with the Malaysian diaspora in the Philippines, hosted at the Malaysian Embassy in Makati, here.