Roti Canai, Teh Tarik, and stories about the impact of MTCP - Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) in Fiji. That was MTCP Table Talk, hosted by H.E. Nor' Azam Mohd Idrus, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Fiji ("TYT") on 20 May 2026. TYT used food to win hearts. He invited guests to "come together over the communal Malaysian food spread" that would take them "right back to the hawker centres, the night stalls, and the laughter." A live Roti Canai station, authentic Malaysian cuisine, and Kuih-Muih brought Fiji's MTCP alumni right back to their time in Malaysia. TYT's residence became the perfect place for heartfelt conversations when he invited the MTCP alumni to share their stories. There are more than 500 MTCP alumni in Fiji. Their stories showed exactly why the MTCP continues to matter. One alumna from the Ministry of Fisheries, Fiji shared how hands-on skills learned during a maritime crime scene preservation course in Malaysia — including evidence collection, fingerprinting and crime scene procedures — are now being applied in her work. Another reflected on visiting Malaysia's waste treatment and waste-to-energy facilities. The result? It inspired related projects. Now he says: "When I smell waste, I smell opportunity." Alumni also spoke about the lasting impact of MTCP beyond the classroom: global professional networks, lifelong friendships, and deeper cultural understanding. Many fondly recalled Malaysia's multicultural society and the strong spirit of unity and inclusivity experienced during their stay. Others reminisced about hawker centres in Kajang and Kuala Lumpur, breakfasts of Nasi Lemak, banana leaf meals shared by hand, Teh Tarik, Satay, Rendang, and even discovering a love for Durian. One participant mentioned that Malaysian food has a special way of bringing "people closer together in social cohesion, integration and harmony." Another recalled how his very first taste of Nasi Lemak brought memories of his late grandfather who served during the Malayan campaign in the 1950s. The MTCP Table Talk was more than a celebration of Malaysian cuisine. It was a celebration of people-to-people ties, shared growth, technical cooperation, and the enduring friendship between Malaysia and Fiji.
