Ongkili Begins Task As Chairman Of CTI-COM

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Science, Technoloy and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili today began his task as newly-elected Coral Triangle Initiative Council of Ministers (CTI-COM) chairman when he called on his predecessor, Sharif Cicip Sutarjo, the Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, in Jakarta.

A statement from Ongkili's ministry said the courtesy call was to initiate a smooth transition and pave the path for the establishment of the permanent CTI regional secretariat.

It said Ongkili's visit to the Indonesian ministry, included a meeting with high-level officials of the Interim CTI Regional Secretariat (CTI-RS) led by the ministry's secretary-general, Dr Gellwyn Jusuf.

During the Third Ministerial Meeting held in Jakarta in October, last year, Malaysia was chosen to chair the CTI Council of Ministers and set up the permanent regional secretariat.

According to the statement, Ongkili's visit will also provide leadership direction on the CTI implementation roadmap for 2012-2013.

At the meeting, Ongkili and Sutarjo discussed challenges facing the CTI and the transition plan towards the establishment of the regional secretariat office in Manado, Indonesia.

During the meeting, Ongkili was briefed on the CTI progress and he also provided guidance and advice on issues relating to the establishment of the permanent secretariat and proposed follow-up action to ensure early realisation.

Regional Secretariat Executive Chairman Dr Sudirman Saad said it was crucial to make the strategic first move as CTI-RS was ready for the transition.

Ongkili also called on the Minister of Research and Technology of Indonesia Prof Gusti Muhammad Hatta and discussed existing cooperation in science and technology.

"This included the MOUs (memorandi of understanding) by the Multimedia Development Corporation and Meteorological Department of Malaysia with Indonesia on the development of e-voting application system in Indonesia," said the statement.

Both ministers agreed to having closer collaborations and joint researches in natural products, biotechnology, cyber security, marine and fisheries and food security, added the statement.