Anwar: Putrajaya looking for more places for students in New Zealand

Anwar (right) speaks during a joint press conference with Luxon in Perdana Putra today. – Bernama Photo

PUTRAJAYA (Sept 2): Malaysia has asked New Zealand to provide more places for Malaysian students in new fields of study in the country, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

He said this is primarily aimed at postgraduate students in emerging areas where New Zealand has expertise, such as energy transition and food technology.

“We also hope that the number of recipients of the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia to study at our higher education institutions can be further expanded.

“At the same time, we would also like to invite students from New Zealand to apply for the Malaysia International Scholarship and experience our diverse culture and heritage,” he told the media during a joint press conference with his counterpart Christopher Luxon after the two leaders held a bilateral meeting today.

Luxon will be visiting Malaysia for three days from September 1 to 3 for bilateral talks and cooperation.

This is his first visit to this country since taking office in November 2023.

Anwar said he had a fruitful discussion with Luxon today on efforts to strengthen long-term ties in the areas highlighted in the strategic partnership, namely prosperity, people, planet and peace and security.

He said that both of them raised many issues of mutual interest and looked at how to strengthen bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest.

Examples include trade and investment, tourism, agriculture, education, defence and security, and the halal sector.

“I will instruct the cabinet tomorrow to use its (Luxon) advice and experience to expedite matters,” he said.

Luxon described Malaysia as one of New Zealand’s oldest Asian friends.

“And with our overall strategic partnership, Prime Minister Anwar and I have today agreed to further accelerate our partnership and are expanding our defence cooperation, including the deployment of one of our new New Zealand Air Force PA Poseidons to Butterworth for joint exercises.

He said the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s new P-8A Poseidon aircraft will continue the long-standing practice of New Zealand maritime patrol aircraft being deployed to Royal Malaysia Air Force Base Butterworth as part of the upcoming Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) exercise.

“We agreed to establish new partnerships and intensify efforts in the areas of transnational crime, countering terrorism and countering violent extremism,” he said.

Speaking on ASEAN, Anwar commended New Zealand’s continued active involvement in ASEAN-led mechanisms and appreciated New Zealand’s continued support for Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2025.

On the Israel-Palestine issue, both Malaysia and New Zealand expressed hope for a ceasefire in Gaza, which would lead to lasting peace.

In 2023, 24 investment projects were approved by New Zealand companies worth RM238.28 million (US$79.9 million), creating 1,137 jobs for the Malaysian workforce. – Bernama