MEDIA STATEMENTS

ON THE WORKING VISIT BY

HON. DATOÔÇÖ SERI DR. AHMAD ZAHID HAMIDI

MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS

TO THE U.S.

24 SEPTEMBER ÔÇô 2 OCTOBER 2014

 

Hon. DatoÔÇÖ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Minister of Home Affairs will be in the U.S. for a Working Visit from 24 September to 2 October 2014. Hon. Minister of Home Affairs will attend to scheduled calls and briefings in New York and Washington D.C. He is also expected to have a follow up discussions on MalaysiaÔÇÖs intention to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

The VWP will enable Malaysians to enter the U.S. without applying for visas and will allow them to stay in the U.S. for a maximum of 90 days period for tourism or business purposes. To date, 38 countries have participated in the U.S. VWP including neighbouring countries namely Singapore and Brunei.

Amongst prominent figures that the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs is expected to meet is the U.S. Secretary of the Homeland Security, Mr. Jeh Johnson and the Executive Director of the New York City Commission to Combat Police Corruption (CCPC).

He is expected to receive briefings at the National Targeting Center for Passengers and Cargo, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Washington Dulles International Airport Operations.

The highlight of the visit will be the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Between Malaysia ÔÇô U.S. Concerning Cooperation on Immigration Matters. The MoU will be signed between Hon. DatoÔÇÖ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Secretary Jeh Johnson. The MoU will focus on enhancing cooperation between immigration officials of both countries in the areas of document training, professional exchange as well as capacity buildings. Prior to U.S., Malaysia had concluded similar MoUs with Australia, Netherlands and United Kingdom.