On March 6, 2024, His Excellency Nor' Azam Mohd Idrus, High Commissioner of Malaysia in Suva, Republic of Fiji (“TYT”) hosted a lunch honoring the alumni of the MTCP - Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme. Among the esteemed guests were VIPs including the Honorable Ifereimi Vasu, Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Mr. Mason Smith, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, and Mr. Hansel Whippy, Deputy Chief of Protocol. Their presence underscored the significance of the occasion and highlighted the strong bonds between Malaysia and Fiji. The event commenced with the arrival of guests and a speech by TYT. He expressed gratitude to the MTCP alumni for furthering the shared goals of progress and prosperity by applying the knowledge from the MTCP courses in their respective roles.
TYT also reaffirmed Malaysia's aspiration to offer more MTCP placements to participants from recipient countries under his responsibility. Following this, Manish Mishra delivered a short speech on his experiences in Malaysia to promote tourism in our country. During the subsequent Teh Tarik demonstration, Mr. Fariz, the spouse of Puan Siti Aziah Zainal, Office Secretary of the High Commission of Malaysia, commanded the attention of the crowd. Honorable Ifereimi Vasu, Minister for iTaukei Affairs had the honor of receiving the first cup. TYT then presented the tokens of appreciation to the MTCP participants. A solemn prayer offered by fellow MTCP alumni Mr. Muhammed Shamim Ali of the Fiji Muslim League further added a religious dimension to the gathering, emphasizing unity and the spirit of solidarity.
The culinary highlight of the event was a delectable spread of Malaysian delicacies prepared by the Perwakilan ladies. Guests savored the flavors of Malaysian cuisine when they indulged in a feast featuring, among others, chicken curry, sate ayam, rendang daging, and ayam goreng berempah. As guests relished the last moments of conviviality over a buffet lunch, the bonds forged and memories created during the event served as a testament to the enduring friendship between Malaysia and Fiji. This unforgettable afternoon marked yet another milestone in the journey of friends dedicated to paving the way for a brighter future ahead by further fostering a legacy of shared aspirations to promote peace stability, and prosperity for all.
