Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will raise transboundary haze pollution with Indonesian leaders during his working visit to Jakarta from Sept 17 to 20, as Malaysia seeks closer cooperation with its neighbour on the issue.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, is scheduled to meet Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and is also expected to pay a courtesy call on President Prabowo Subianto.
The haze issue will be discussed in the context of strengthening regional cooperation under the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) and the Second ASEAN Haze-Free Roadmap.
Ahmad Zahid will also attend the Halal-20 Conference, or the fifth World Halal Summit 2026, where he is scheduled to deliver a keynote address and take part in a panel discussion on strengthening partnerships between countries.
Malaysia and Indonesia are also expected to deepen cooperation in rural development, with Ahmad Zahid and Indonesia’s Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding on the matter.
The visit also comes as bilateral halal trade continues to grow. Indonesia was among the top five export destinations for Malaysian halal products in 2025, with exports reaching RM3.51 billion compared with RM3.41 billion in 2024.
Malaysia’s total halal exports reached RM68.52 billion last year, an increase of 10.9% from 2024.
The four-day visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties while providing an opportunity for both countries to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
