Tuanku Mizan arrives in Christchurch

(picture from Bernama)
HM Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin were greeted by Bob Parker and his wife, Joanna Nicholls-Parker

His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the Supreme Ruler) of Malaysia, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin arrived in Christchurch, the first stop in his 4-day working visit to Antartica. The arrival of Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin were greeted by the Mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker and his wife, Joanna Nicholls-Parker; Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Datuk Mazlan Muhammad and senior High Commission officials, at Christchurch International Airport about 9.25 am local time (4.45 am Malaysian).

(picture from Bernama)
HM Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin witnessing the Maori welcoming ceremony by Henare Rakiihia Tau

Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin were accompanied by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, Academy of Sciences Malaysia Antartica Taskforce chairman Tan Sri Salleh Mohd Nor and National Antarctica Research Centre director Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah. Tuanku Mizan was then accorded a ceremonial Maori welcome at their traditional Te Whatumanawa Maotitangao Rehua 'meeting house', after which he met briefly with several World War II veterans who had served in Malaya (at the time) before proceeding to Peppers Clearwater Resort.

(picture from Bernama)
HM Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin mingled with the veterans of World War II in then Malaya.

Tuanku Mizan is scheduled to depart for Scott Base tomorrow and also include a visit to the nearby United State's McMurdo Station, both located on McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Scott Base is a research facility operated by New Zealand and McMurdo Station is the continent's largest science base. Malaysia's involvement with Antarctica began when Malaysia, Antigua and Barbuda highlighted the Antarctica issue at the United Nations General Assembly in 1983. A cabinet approval in 1997 set off Malaysia's scientific research in the continent and as of last year, seven institutions of higher learning have conducted 62 expeditions, involving 60 researchers, said an earlier MOSTI statement.