MELBOURNE, Dec 12 — Malaysians in Melbourne gathered yesterday to meet the first of two ministers to visit this week.
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Minister for Rural and Regional Development, briefed Malaysian expatriates and students on developments back home at a high tea hosted by Consulate General Datuk Dr Mohamad Rameez Yahaya.
On Sunday, Malaysians will meet Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Minister of Works, at a lunch at the Consulate.
Shafie was on his way back to Malaysia after a two-day visit to New Zealand to study its advances in incorporating indigenous affairs in its national life.
With him in his delegation was Hasnan Hassan, director-general of the Department of Orang Asli Development.
Also with him was Datuk Ibrahim Ahmad, director-general of MARA.
Shafie was also seeking to “engage” with Malaysians, in New Zealand and in Australia. On Wednesday, he and his delegation met Malaysians in Sydney.
Today, they will be in Tasmania before they head home.
Shafie yesterday assured those in Melbourne of any concerns they might have of developments back home.
Among those present were expatriate Malaysians including those from the Consulate, staff of Matrade, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation headquartered in Melbourne, working Malaysians and students.
Shafie, a vice president of Umno, spoke on “important policy issues” discussed at the recent general assembly, and explained why he felt that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had to reverse his decision to repeal the Sedition Act after “listening to the people”.
He said while the slump in the price of oil would present challenges, it would be manageable with the mix of revenue in Malaysia’s economy.
Tax was Malaysia’s biggest source of revenue, and this would be bolstered with the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (in April).
Shafie was also confident that the slide in the value of the ringgit would also be manageable.
Among questions put to Shafie was if the price of oil would lead to an “oil shock” for Malaysia, and what measures the government had to restore the harmony that the questioner recalled of his nostalgic schooldays of friends from every community.
Fadillah, who will meet Malaysians on Sunday, will be in Melbourne to discuss collaboration wiTH the state of Victoria
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