Zainal Abidin (third left) posing for a group photo with the heads and representatives of Asean-nation missions in Canberra at the forum. — Bernama photo
ADELAIDE: Increased integration of Asean as a Community in 2015 will bring greater benefits to Asean member states and the region, Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia, Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad told a forum on Saturday.
He highlighted the success of Asean in promoting peace, stability, progress and prosperity in the region since its inception in 1967.
Heads and representatives of Asean-nation missions in Canberra held discussions with the Australian business sector, private entities and non-governmental organisations, which Zainal Abidin said was very useful and beneficial.
The forum was organised by the Council for International Trade and Commerce South Australia in collaboration with the Government of South Australia (SA) and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
It was officiated by SA’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Gail Gago.
Among the notable personalities at the forum were the Australian ambassador to Asean Simon Merrifield, former chief minister of the Northern Territory Datuk Shane Stone, Santos chief
executive David Knox and former foreign minister Alexander Downer.
Zainal Abidin later attended a reception hosted by the Governor of South Australia in conjunction with the Australia-Asean Business Council.
He was a dinner guest of the council, SA Chapter, and also had an enjoyable time with the Malaysian community and Malaysian students, organised by the honorary consul here, Datuk Hassan Salleh.
The high commissioner emphasised on the need for the Malaysian community to be model citizens and keep the Malaysian flag flying high at all times. — Bernama