Remarks by H.e. Chuah teong ban, ambassador of malaysia to ukraine on the occasion of malaysia’s 54th national day reception held on 26 september 2011, dnipro hotel, kyiv.
Good Evening, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Dobriy Vechir Pani ta Panove
Selamat Datang
1. My staff and I warmly welcome and thank you for your kind attendance this evening.
2. Today’s reception is to celebrate the 54th anniversary of Independence of Malaysia from the colonial power, which falls on 31 August; and also to commemorate the 48th years of the formation of Malaysia when East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak join the Federation of Malaya on 16 September 1963. Throughout those years, Malaysia has been busy undertaking progress and developments to transform Malaysia into a prosperous, progressive and peaceful democratic country.
3. The long journey of nation building has yielded some remarkable success stories. Malaysia became the 18th largest global trading nation due to its consistent business and investors’ friendly policy. Socially, its multi-ethnic people whose roots are from all over Asia live, interact and enjoy harmoniously. Politically, Malaysia actively promotes good governance, civil society participation, democracy and respect for human rights. Civil liberties in Malaysia will be further enhanced when the increasingly controversial Internal Security Act (ISA) is repealed next year. This was announced by The Hon. Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during the 48th Malaysia Day celebration last week on the package of civil liberties and democratic reforms.
4. Bilaterally, Malaysia and Ukraine enjoy warm and cordial relations. The trade relations has prospered and grown stronger each year. More Ukrainians are visiting Malaysia during winter vacation besides the usual trade and economic purposes because no visa is required for Ukrainians on short stay in Malaysia. Other main areas of cooperation are defence and education. I am confident the bilateral relations will continue to expand and further enhance in the coming years.
5. Living up to the tagline “Malaysia truly Asia’, the Embassy has specially prepared some Malaysian dishes and desserts that have its origin and roots from major Asian ethnic groups, for you to savour. Please visit the Malaysian food stations to try our home-made cuisine.
6. Today, I have persuaded a Ukrainian company, the sole agent of the Malaysian herbal health products to join this reception to share and showcase the goodness of those traditional herbal products that are now available in Ukrainian consumer market. The health products are made from active ingredients extract from Malaysian grown Ganoderma mushroom reputed to boost your immune system and promote general vitality. He will be offering you to sample coffee fortified with Ganoderma Lucidum and also the well known traditional herbal root known as Tongkat Ali.
7. Off the record, Tongkat Ali is believed to be antimicrobial and also notoriously an aphrodisiac.
8. Please enjoy this evening of Malaysian hospitality.
Selamat Menjamu Selara dan Terima Kasih
Bon appétit and Thank you.
Smachnogo ta Djakuyu.
Embassy of Malaysia
Kyiv, Ukraine
26 September 2011