Ashraf Abo Arafe
Yesterday Malaysian Embassy in Cairo celebrated its 61st year of independence from British colonial rule on Friday (Aug 31). This year’s celebration is significant because it also marks the return of Dr Mahathir.
Among the attendance of high Egyptian officials, ambassadors and media people, the ambassador of Malaysia in Egypt Mr Mohamed Haniff Abd Rahman gave a speech on this occasion as follows:
Bismillahirrahmanirahim,
Assalamualaikum Wrt Wbt, a Very Good Evening and Salam Sejahtera.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Friends of Malaysia,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Alhamdulillah, with the grace of Allah SWT, we are able to gather together this evening to celebrate Malaysia’s 61st National Day Anniversary which was observed on the 31st August 2018. On behalf of all of us at the Embassy of Malaysia in Cairo, I am pleased to extend our heartfelt gratitude and warmest welcome to all of you – our guests, for your kind presence here this evening.
I am personally honoured to warmly welcome His Excellency Ambassador Khaled Sarwat, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asian Countries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, representing the Government of Egypt for gracing this historical milestone in our annals.
As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, Malaysia remains resolute in facing the future with confidence, humility and integrity, determined to deepen and strengthen our unity and prosperity at home while contributing towards regional and international peace, security and development.
Today, given the emerging challenges and security threats including economic uncertainties, cybercrime, terrorism and violent extremism, Malaysia believes that it is pertinent that Malaysia continues to cooperate closely with its friends, allies and neighbours in the region and the world in ensuring peace, security, stability and prosperity. Malaysia will pursue a neutral foreign policy and maintain good relations with all countries and not interfere in their policies and systems.
This year’s National Day is additionally meaningful and historic to us, as Malaysians are not only celebrating the country’s independence but also rejoicing the return of our distinguished leader and Statesman, the Honourable Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed who at 92 years old became the 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia and the oldest Head of Government in the world. We also witnessed our 14th General Election held in May 2018. The election results prove that democracy is alive, healthy and robust in Malaysia with the emergence of a new government of Pakatan Harapan or Alliance of Hope.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Arab Republic of Egypt are warm and friendly. We have instituted cooperation in many fields and domains at various levels. Our relations and cooperation began even before our countries had achieved our independence, particularly in the field of education where Malaysian students have traditionally pursued their tertiary studies at the prestigious Al-Azhar University as early as the 1930s.
Today, we are proud to note that almost 11,000 Malaysian students are pursuing their tertiary education at universities across Egypt in several fields, mainly in Islamic Studies, medicine and dentistry. Alternatively, there are about 1,800 Egyptian students studying in Malaysia. We warmly welcome more Egyptian students to pursue their higher education in Malaysia as Malaysia provides high quality education in English with an excellent and modern living environment.
In terms of trade, Egypt is our largest trading partner in the North African region with an annual trade volume of about USD600 million. Egypt has also been among the largest importers of palm oil products from Malaysia.
Our national Oil and Gas Company, PETRONAS, have made significant contribution in terms of investment in the oil and gas industry in Egypt. I am also pleased to note that our national car maker, PROTON, will resume shipment of Proton models to Egypt in the near future.
In terms of technical assistance, Malaysia remains committed to South-South cooperation and will continue to extend our technical assistance to Egypt under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP). Since 1981, a total of 663 participants from Egypt had attended various MTCP courses such as diplomatic training, engineering, archive studies, palm oil familiarization and banking in Malaysia.
Malaysia and Egypt also cooperate closely in various areas and share a common perspective on international issues. Both countries have cooperated well at the multilateral level under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), G-15 and D-8.
Malaysia looks forward to strengthening and deepening our relations with Egypt in the future.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before I end, on behalf of all Malaysians, we pray to Allah S.W.T. to bless the Arab Republic of Egypt, its leadership and its people with peace, prosperity and success.
Wassalam.
