La Noche de Malasia
(Malam Malaysia)
The Embassy hosted "La Noche de Malasia" to commerate Malaysia's 51st Anniversary of Independence. About 130 guests attended the dinner-cum-reception including from the diplomatic corp, Captains of Industry, educationists, environmentalist, documentary producer, journalists, researchers, professors, MTCP alumni, Friends of Malaysia, a sculptor etc and the few Malaysians present in Chile.
The Guest of Honour was Madame Angela Jeria de Bachelet, mother of the President.
Chileans also had a glimpse and appreciation of Royal history when the ''Negara Ku'' was played against the backdrop of the Yang Pertuan Agong's Coronation Ceremony last year which was steeped in tradition projected on the wall for all to see.
The evening started with a speech by HE Ambassador Abdullah Faiz Zain who spoke about developments in Malaysia. Amongst others, HE Ambassador Faiz alluded against western criticism that democracy is very much alive, vibrant and progressive in Malaysia with the successfully concluded 12th General Election held last March 8, 2008.
HE Ambassador Faiz also touched on the state of bilateral relations particularly in education, defence and the most successful programme "the Prosper thy Neighbour (MTCP) policy". In 2008 alone about 22 Chileans went for various courses in Malaysia. Another exciting development was in the field of education. Ten (10) chilean undergraduates are expected to do a semester of English possibly in USM. This is a first. Another first, four undergraduates will also be doing internships in Khazanah Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines. Ambassador was also happy that 5 students from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) visited the Embassy recently and had lunch at the Residence. Ambassador considered the Rapa Nuians as cousins as they are from the polynesia melayo race as the malays.
HE Ambassador Abdullah Faiz Zain concluded his speech by expressing his wish to receive President Bachelet in Malaysia to cap a rather memorable stay in Chile before his tour of duty ends.
Interestingly, the VIP tables were named after Melakan folk heroes beginning with Parameswara and Hang Tuah and his legendary four warrior friends Hang Jebat, Hang Lekir, Hang Kasturi and Hang Lekiu. A table was named "Sandokan" after the fictitious character made famous by Emilio Salgari in his novel "Sandokan: Le tigre de Malasia" published in 1895. Sandokan is a friendly Malaysian pirate ala "Robin Hood". Instead of Sheerwood Forest, Sandokan roams the South China Sea who helps the poor and robs the rich. The novel is read by Chileans in schools. Chileans who are familiar with Sandokan always associated him with Malaysia.
HE Ambassador Abdullah Faiz Zain offered a toast to the good health and well being of the President and to the peace and prosperity of Chile. Madame Angela reciprocated the toast to the health of the Yang Di Pertuan Agong.
As a token of appreciation for gracing the evening, each guest was presented with a "bunga telor" at the end of the dinner.
Final instructions and checks before the curtain goes up. The stairs remind one of the traditional houses in Melaka
Welcoming Madame Angela, mother of the President upon her arrival. She also graced the 50th Anniversary reception and the Annual MTCP Alumni luncheon held last year.
Selamat Hari Jadi Malaysia.
The Philippines Ambassador
Dean of the Diplomatic corp
The Chinese Ambassador
The Japanese Ambassador (in glasses)
The Thai Ambassador (in pink) and the wife of the Japanese Ambassador (in cream).
The Indonesian Ambassador with his wife
The Vietnamese Ambassador with his wife
The newly arrived Pakistani Ambassador
The Indian CDA (a.i) flanked by Patricio and his wife. Patricio participated in the Sculpturing Festival held in Sarawak.
Guess who is a Malaysian?
Funny hat?
Jaime (extreme right) came all the way from Concepcion (700 km south of Santiago) to attend the dinner
Razali Rahman (Third Secretary) ensuring all goes smoothly
Sandokan?
"Hang Tuah table"
Malaysians in Batik
Eduardo has been with the Embassy since its establishment in 1991
www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/santiago