M'sia's Home Minister To Attend Sydney Summit On Countering Violent Extremism

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Bernama) -- Home Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be in Australia for a three-day working visit from Wednesday to attend the Regional Summit to Counter Violent Extremism: Challenging Terrorist Propaganda in Sydney. The Home Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the summit would bring together key stakeholders from government, civil society and industry across the region with the aim of building capacity to address the threat posed by violent extremist groups. Malaysia is among the 26 countries and international organisations that have been invited to participate in the summit. "The regional summit is a follow-up to the White House Countering Violent Extremism Summit held in Washington in February 2015," the ministry said. Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to meet Australian Immigration and Border Control Minister Peter Dutton to discuss the ongoing cooperation on transnational crime issues, including counter-terrorism, and also the influx of irregular migrants in the region. He is also scheduled to attend a dinner hosted by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the latter's official Sydney residence, the Kirribilli House. Meetings have also been arranged with Australian Justice Minister Michael Keenan and Social Services Minister Scott Morrison. -- BERNAMA