In a unique and exciting encounter, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with Malaysia's renowned cooking influencer and entrepreneur, Khairul Amin Kamarulzaman, popularly known as Khairul Aming, during his three-day official visit to Malaysia. The meeting, held at restaurant Hidang KL, was a token of appreciation from New Zealand for Khairul Aming's recent travel to the country to produce cooking videos.
Khairul Aming, who has gained a massive following of 4.1 million and 1.5 million followers on Instagram and X, respectively, took the opportunity to introduce traditional Malaysian breakfast dishes, including nasi lemak, roti jala, and teh tarik, to the Prime Minister. The meeting was not just a culinary exchange, but also a platform for discussing potential collaborations between Malaysia and New Zealand.
According to Bernama, during the breakfast session, Khairul Aming and Prime Minister Luxon exchanged views on various topics, including tourism exchange, trade exports of halal meat and dairy, nature preservation, and the potential export of local small and medium enterprises products to New Zealand. Khairul Aming, who has been instrumental in promoting Malaysian cuisine globally, highlighted the potential for halal trade between New Zealand, Malaysia, and worldwide.
Khairul Aming's journey to this meeting is a testament to his hard work and dedication. From filming his first cooking video on the floor eight years ago to sitting next to the Prime Minister of a renowned nation, he has come a long way. His viral Ramadhan cooking series, "30 Hari 30 Resepi," has made him a household name, and his entrepreneurial ventures, including owning two factories in Kota Baru, are a reflection of his success.
The meeting was a result of Khairul Aming's recent video series in New Zealand, which went viral in the country, attracting the attention of the New Zealand embassy and the Prime Minister himself. Khairul Aming expressed his surprise and gratitude for the opportunity, saying, "I thought it would be enough if the video made it to FYP (ForYouPage), but it went to FYP in New Zealand. The embassy (New Zealand) reached out and said the prime minister wanted to meet with me during his visit to Malaysia, and I was like wow, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Prime Minister Luxon's visit to Malaysia, which ends today, marks his first visit to the country since taking office in November 2023. The meeting with Khairul Aming is a significant step in strengthening the bilateral relations between Malaysia and New Zealand, and it highlights the potential for cultural and economic exchange between the two nations.
In conclusion, the meeting between Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Khairul Aming is a shining example of the power of social media and the impact of cultural exchange on international relations. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of individuals like Khairul Aming, who have made a significant contribution to promoting Malaysian cuisine and culture globally.
Source: Bernama
