Malaysian embassy in Doha marks Merdeka Â?on timeÂ? for the first time
| Published: Sunday, 3 September, 2006, 10:44 AM Doha Time |
 |
| Ambassador Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari raises Malaysian flag |
By Lena Liew
DESPITE the sweltering summer weather that left them dripping sweat, more than 400 Malaysians turned up for a Â?MerdekaÂ? (Independence Day) flag raising ceremony at the Malaysian embassy in Doha for the first time.
"This is a very significant event for two reasons: it is the first time the embassy is hosting an Independence Day flag-raising ceremony for the Malaysian community in Qatar, and also the first time this is taking place Â?on timeÂ?," said MalaysiaÂ?s Ambassador to Qatar Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari.
Ambassador Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari (third from right) is accompanied by the sponsors of the nightÂ?s festivities as he cuts two cakes contributed by Malaysian construction company UEM and Four Seasons Hotel. Other sponsors were Gamuda-WCT, Khazan Group, and Tom Tom Restaurant
Due to the summer holidays in July and August, when most people are out of the country, MalaysiaÂ?s Independence Day on August 31 tends to be celebrated belatedly in September by Malaysian embassies in this part of the world. 
Last year, the newly set-up embassy hosted a formal reception for the Qatari authorities and the diplomatic corps while the Malaysian Association of Qatar organised a dinner for members of the community.
"We will be hosting a formal Â?Independence DayÂ? reception later in September to coincide with the official visit of our Minister of Youth and Sports to Doha," said the ambassador Ku Jaafar.
Normally, Malaysian gatherings in Qatar are a riot of colour as both adults and children of the various races come dressed up in their best and brightest traditional clothes.
Not so on Thursday night, as people were informed by e-mail that the dress code was casual. The few who came in sparkling, fashionable cocktail dresses were visibly wilting in their dainty kitten heels.
The sauna-like conditions nevertheless did nothing to affect the spirited fervour with which the Malaysian expatriates sang the national anthem, various patriotic songs and cheered "Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!".
Ambassador Ku Jaafar took the opportunity to announce the embassyÂ?s website, through which Malaysian expatriates would soon be able to register themselves with the embassy.
He also informed the community of the departure of the embassyÂ?s Second Secretary Kholil Musa, who has been transferred to serve in the Malaysian embassy in Amman.
Malaysian expats in Qatar were urged to join the Â?Malaysian Supporters GroupÂ? which will organise volunteer cheer