Bold new ventures: Ahmad Zahid (standing third from left) witnessing the MOU signing between Mara Aerospace & Technologies Sdn Bhd, represented by Mara Group Corporation CEO Zulkarnain Taman (seated left) and Honeycomb Aerospace Technologies (Beijing), represented by its general manager Cheng Ying Jie (seated right) during the ceremony in Shanghai, China. Also present are Asyraf (standing left) and Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (standing fourth from right). — Bernama
Zahid: Cooperation must bear fruit and translate into something concrete
SHANGHAI: Reminding Malaysian firms that agreements signed with international partners must not just be for “gimmicks”, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says there should be follow-ups for the projects to materialise.
The Deputy Prime Minister said agreements should not be left at that, adding that they must translate into something concrete.
He cited the signing of two agreements he witnessed here that assured rapid results in technology transfer involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the setting up of Malaysia’s first halal medical hub.
Ahmad Zahid described it as a testament to the continued trust and understanding enjoyed by Malaysia and China in their 50-year partnership.
“It also goes to show how committed we are to realising our aspirations and seeing to it that our cooperation bears fruit,” he told Malaysian journalists covering his official visit here.
Ahmad Zahid, who earlier witnessed the signing of an memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Mara Aerospace & Technologies Sdn Bhd and Honeycomb Aerospace Technologies (Beijing) Co Ltd, said he was pleased as some sections of it would materialise as early as October.
Under the agreement, Honeycomb Aerospace, which is the third biggest UAV manufacturer in China, will set up a UAV assembly facility at the UniKL Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology campus in Sepang next month.
Next year, the Chinese company will inject an investment of RM100mil to set up a UAV manufacturing facility in Malaysia.
Once operational, the factory is expected to produce about 3,000 UAVs annually.
“This collaboration will see the Malaysian-made product marketed worldwide. In fact, there are already requests for UAVs from the domestic market,” Ahmad Zahid said.
The agreement is also expected to change the landscape in managing the country’s security and agriculture activities.
UAVs can effectively help in maintaining security, especially along Malaysia’s borders, with a capacity to monitor a 300km radius area.
For the agricultural sector, a UAV can facilitate seed planting and fertilisation processes.
“As for the transfer of technology, our TVET students, particularly those studying in UniKL, stand to benefit from learning how to build the machines,” the DPM added.
Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the substantial investment represented not just an economic boost but also a genuine transfer of technology and expertise.
“By partnering with global industry leaders such as Honeycomb Aerospace, we are investing in the growth of our talents, broadening our technological horizons, and positioning Malaysia as a formidable player in the aerospace industry,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also witnessed the strategic cooperation agreement between China’s ChemPartner Pharmatech Co Ltd and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia on the setting up of a halal medical hub.
With Malaysia having a wealth of herbal resources with immense potential, the partnership between ChemPartner Pharmatech aims to modernise traditional herbs and introduce them to the global market, he said.
“The strategic partnership is a milestone for Malaysia, marking a new era of global cooperation and progress.
“What makes me even prouder of this partnership is that the company is owned by a Malaysian,” Ahmad Zahid said.
He said by investing in a state-of-the-art laboratory at UKM, ChemPartner was contributing to Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to advance new drug development and innovation.
