OFFICIAL OPENING OF EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA NEW CHANCERY BUILDING

OFFICIAL OPENING

OF

EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA NEW CHANCERY BUILDING

BY HON. TENGKU AHMAD RITHAUDDEEN

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA

11 APRIL 1985

SHORT REMARKS BY. H.E. AMBASSADOR DATUK ISMAIL BUDIN AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA NEW CHANCERY BUILDING, MAKATI, METRO MANILA, THURSDAY, 11 APRIL 1985 (1830 HRS)

“Honourable Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Malaysia, H.E. Mr. Pacifico a. Castro, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, H.E. Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Excellencies, Distinguished guest, ladies and gentlemen.

2.     At the outset, I would like, on behalf of the Staff of the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila, to take this opportunity to extend my warmest welcome to Hon. Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Malaysia, H.E. Mr. Pacifico A. Castro, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, and all distinguished guests to the Embassy of Malaysia new Chancery Building this evening.  We are indeed honoured by your kind presence at this evening’s function, for the inauguration of our new Chancery Building by Hon. Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen.

3.     Almost two decades ago, the Embassy of Malaysia began its humble beginning in the Republic of the Philippines.  The Embassy was first housed in a residential area along Roxas Boulevard, Manila.  From there, the Embassy moved twice and later was transferred to the Republic Glass Building in Makati, only two blocks away from the present building.

4.     The opening of our own chancery Building demonstrates the growing cooperation that have existed between Malaysia and the Republic of the Philippines throughout the years.  The increasing activities that the Embassy has to undertake over the past years compel us to seek for a more spacious that the idea to construct our own chancery building was first conceived in 1979. Soon after approval was given by the Malaysian government, the acquisition of land totaling 1,006 sq. meters was finalized in September 1980. Subsequently on 30 August 1982, the breaking of ground ceremony took place.  Finally, after two years the building was completed in the middle of last year.  The Embassy of Malaysia was finally transferred to our own Chancery building on 10 October 1984.

5.     The construction of our new Chancery building is made possible by the cooperation extended to us by many parties, individuals and agencies concerned in the Philippines.  I would like to take this opportunity first of all to extend my sincere thanks to the government of the Republic of the Philippines for the cooperation extended to us to make this project of ours a reality. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the Architect, the contractor and the work engineer for their efforts to see that this building materializes.  To many others who are also involved in the fulfillment of this project such as the interior decorations, I would also like to say my thanks to their splendid effort and cooperation.

6.     Once more, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my warm welcome to all our distinguished guest to this evening’s function.

I would like now to invite Hon. Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Malaysia to unveil the plaque.

Thank you.”