EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA HOSTS 54th NATIONAL DAY, EID UL-FITR AND MALAYSIA DAY RECEPTION ON 16 SEPTEMBER 2011

H.E. Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of the Philippines and Madame Datin Seri Dato’ Zainab Abdul Kader hosted a reception on the occasion of Malaysia Day (16 September 2011), the 54^th National Day of Malaysia (31 August 2011) and Eid ul-Fitr (30 August 2011) on Friday, 16 September 2011 at the Shangri La Hotel Makati.

2.         The Hon. Esteban B. Conejos, Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (representing the Hon. Albert F. Del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs) and H.E. Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps were the guests of honour at the reception. The celebration was also attended by about 250 people including H.E. Fidel Ramos, former President of the Philippines; the Hon. Renato C. Corona, Chief Justice; the Hon. Jose Rene D. Almendras, Secretary of Energy, the Honourable Voltaire T. Gazmin, Secretary of National Defence, the Hon. Alfredo Lim, Mayor of Manila. In addition, other attendees included other Cabinet Secretaries, Senators, Congressmen, senior Philippine Government and Military officials, ASEAN Ambassadors, Honorary Consuls, members of the diplomatic corps, businessmen, representatives from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), press members and Malaysian citizens in the Philippines.

3.         Following the national anthems of the Philippines and then Malaysia, H.E. Ambassador Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, in his welcome remarks, highlighted the theme chosen for Malaysia’s National Day which is “1Malaysia: Successful Transformation, Prospering the People”. The Ambassador also underscored the good state of relations between Malaysia and the Philippines, underlining the range of cooperation both countries have enjoyed bilaterally, regionally and internationally. At the end of his speech, the Ambassador raised a toast to the continued good health and prosperity of H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III, and the People of the Philippines.

4.         The Honourable Undersecretary Conejos, in his reply speech congratulated Malaysia on the celebration of its 54^th National Day Anniversary. The Undersecretary acknowledged the historical and cultural ties, as well as the good state of bilateral relations between both countries. He also acknowledged Malaysia’s and the Philippines’ shared role in the formative early years of ASEAN; and also commended Malaysia for being an active player in regional organisation. The Undersecretary also expressed appreciation to Malaysia for its role in helping to mediate the Southern Philippines Peace Process, as well as for Malaysia’s role in leading the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao. The Undersecretary also toasted to His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XIII of Malaysia, the Honourable Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the People of Malaysia.

5.         Following the speeches and toasts by the Ambassador and the Undersecretary, the guests were treated to a smorgasbord of Malaysian dishes including Rojak, Satay, Otak-Otak, Cucur Udang, Beef Rendang, Assam Laksa, Roti Canai, Ikan Bakar, assorted pastries, kueh and variety of fresh seasonal fruits.

6.         While enjoying the food, popular Malaysian R&B and Soul songstress, Ms. Ning Baizura entertained the guests with a live performance of a medley of songs ranging from traditional Hari Raya songs to more contemporary numbers.

7.         The guests were also entertained with visual presentations promoting Malaysia.

Embassy of Malaysia

Manila

Republic of the Philippines

19 September 2011