November 18, 2009 19:02 PM

Malaysia Keen On With South Sulawesi - Najib

MAKASSAR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is seriously looking into collaborating with South Sulawesi the field of agriculture to enhance its food security and in line with the offer made by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono recently.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today he had discussed the possibility with South Sulawesi Governor Shahrul Yasin Limpo during his one-day visit here to attend the 689th commemoration of the Gowa regency.

"I've discused this with the governor. The cooperation in the field of agriculture is offered by President Susilo to enhance Malaysia's food security and help increase the income from agriculture among the farmers here," he said in his speech at the ceremony in Gowa Wednesday.

Najib said the cooperation in the field of agriculture would be further strengthen through the signing of three memorandums of understanding signed by agencies under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and Indonesia's Universitas Hasanuddin today.

Describing the cooperation as tangible, Najib said, it was a manifestation of the cultural similarities between the Makassar Bugis in South Sulawesi and those in Malaysia.

"This will undoubtedly strengthen the bilateral relations between Malaysia and Indonesia," said Najib at the event.

-- BERNAMA

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