Najib Abdul Razak's first official engagement in Abu Dhabi saw the prime minister witnessing the signing of several significant memoranda of understanding and collaboration agreement, which would further strengthen bilateral ties between Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Taking centre stage was the formalisation of agreement between both countries to develop a mosque complex in Bandar Malaysia, Sungai Besi - a collaboration in recognition of their strong and long standing bilateral relations.

    

The agreement between 1Malaysia Development Board (1MDB) and the UAE's General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) will also provide for the establishment of a learning centre and a Permata centre for talented children in the vicinity.

 

The deal was signed by 1MDB chief executive officer Mohd Hazem Abd Rahman and Dr Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei in the presence of the prime minister and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Prince Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al Nahyan at Mushrif Palace.

"This is an inspiring gift as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque promotes the concept of tolerance, love and mutual understanding towards positive interaction.

"Indeed this is a testimony to the strong bond established between Malaysia and Abu Dhabi. It will go a long way to further cement the relationship between our people," the prime minister said in a press statement released to Malaysian journalists by 1MDB today.

Under the agreement, 1MDB, the master developer of Bandar Malaysia, will provide a dedicated site for the project and the UAE's Awqaf will fund the development of its design and construction.

Bandar Malaysia, is the 495-acre of urban redevelopment of the old airport in Sungai Besi which was designed to support Greater KL as a new engine of growth.

Twin project

It is the twin project of the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), the partnership projects worth RM18 billion, inked by 1MDB and UAE's Aabar Investments PJS, to help Kuala Lumpur become a global centre for international finance, trade and services.

The deal, signed during the official visit of Sheikh Mohamed in March last year, also saw the signing of a separate project worth RM21 billion, for a fuel storage facility off Tanjung Piai in Johor.

Inspired by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi, the mosque's design will include a  technologically-driven Islamic learning centre and a Permata centre, which was the brainchild of prime minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Commenting on the collaboration, Awqaf chairperson Dr Hamdan Mussalam Al Mazrouei said :"This partnership underscores our mission to promote tolerance and awareness of the moderate teaching of Islam through the development of

mosques and education centres.  

"It is our intention to collaborate with 1MDB to create a centre that serves the needs of the community," he added.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was created from the cultural and national values preserved and nurtured by the late Sheikh Zayed Sultan Al Nahyan, which stressed mutual respect, tolerance and coexistence among people.

The second was an MoU for cooperation in tourism related activities between the UAE National Council of Tourism and Antiquities and the Tourism and Culture Ministry,Malaysia, to further enhance and promote bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism between both countries.

It was inked by Tourism and Culture Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz ( right ) and Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, chairperson of the Board of Directors of the National Council for Tourism and Antiquities of the UAE.

- Bernama