THE E-NEWSLETTER OF THE EMBASSY OF IN BAHRAIN

MANAMA CONNECTS ISSUE NO. 4 - JULY TO DECEMBER 2017

MALAYSIA-BAHRAIN RELATIONS REACHED a NEW HEIGHT

with the Crown Prince and attended a The Honourable Dato’ Sri Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the special orchestra performance. Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Kingdom of Bahrain in conjunction with th Minister of Malaysia was on an Official Bahrain’s 46 National Day on 16 Malaysia and Bahrain has Visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 15 December 2017. shared a long-standing close and warm and 16 December 2017. He was brotherly ties. The year 2017 has seen accompanied by YABhg. Datin Sri YAB Prime Minister was conferred the st Malaysia’s bilateral relations with the Rosmah Mansor, YB Datuk Seri King Hamad Order for Renaissance, 1 Degree by His Majesty King Hamad bin Kingdom of Bahrain reached a new Hishammuddin Hussein, Minister of height with this visit, as well as the State Defence and Minister with Special Isa Al Khalifa, which was the first time conferred to a foreign leader. Besides Visit by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Functions, as well as senior officials Al Khalifa to Malaysia from 30 April to from the Prime Minister’s Office and witnessing the National Day celebration at Sakhir Palace, YAB Prime Minister 2 May. The unprecedented move by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. attended a briefing at the Bahrain Bahrain to award YAB Prime Minister the country’s highest medal sealed the The Official Visit was at the Economic Development Board (EDB), importance the Kingdom has for invitation of HRH Price Khalifa bin attended the State Banquet, luncheon Malaysia. 2

H.M. SULTAN OF VISITS THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

DYMM Sultan Ibrahim Majesty reciprocated by ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, conferring the Most Esteemed Sultan of Johor was on Official Order of the Royal Family of Visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain Johor to His Majesty King from 26 to 29 November 2017. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The visit was at the invitation of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Besides audiences, Al Khalifa. DYMM Sultan was among the programme lined up accompanied by Tunku were a military parade at the Temenggong of Johor, YAM Interior Ministry’s ground, Tunku Idris ibni Sultan Ibrahim briefing by Bahrain Economic and other senior state officials. Development Board (EDB), and a hi-tea session with Johoreans The Sultan’s maiden visit residing in Bahrain, attended by to Bahrain was significant, as His 25 Johoreans and their spouses. Majesty was conferred the Shaikh On the last night in Bahrain, His Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa award, Majesty Sultan was treated to a which is the highest award of the cultural show and dinner at the Kingdom for a royalty. His National Theatre.

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BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE (BIDEC) 2017 The Bahrain International Defence Exhibition and Conference (BIDEC) 2017 was held from 16 to 18 October 2017 under the patronage of His Majesty the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain. This year was the first time that Malaysia participated in BIDEC where YM General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Afandi Raja Mohamed Noor, Chief of the Defence Forces led the Malaysian delegation. He also presented a paper during the Conference entitled “Contemporary Security Challenges and Opportunities: Malaysia’s Perspective”. Seven (7) Malaysian defence industry-related companies participated in the Exhibition at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BICC).

NATIONAL SPORTS DAY 2017

As the nation celebrates the National Sports Day, the Embassy of Malaysia in Manama organised the same on 14 October 2017. It was held at the Almoayyed Home Clubhouse in Al Jasra from 7.00 am to 12pm. Almost 100 Malaysians were present and took part in aerobic dance, tennis, sukaneka, futsal competition and netball competition. Ambassador Agus Salim Yusof and his wife also took part in the competitions and later, gave away prizes, certificates and lucky draw prizes to the participants. The event ended with the participants singing to the tune of Negaraku.

STAR EMPLOYEE STAR EMPLOYEE JULY – SEPTEMBER 2017 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2017

NO RECIPIENT POSITION MS. PRAVA TRIPATHI  Office Cleaner  In service since 15 August 2016  Professional aim: “I give my full effort for the EmbEmbassythe Embassy” Manama connects 4 2

DINNER FOR COUNTERPARTS On 13 August 2017, HE Amb. Agus Salim Yusof hosted a dinner to welcome the new Ambassador of Indonesia, HE Nur Syahrir Rahardjo, who presented his credentials to the King of Bahrain on 25 July 2017. The dinner was also to honour the Ambassador of Sudan, HE Abdelrahman Khalil Afandi who was about to end his assignment in Manama. It was held at Rumah Malaysia, attended by the Heads of Mission of ASEAN + 3 countries in Manama and their spouses.

NEW YEAR 1439H PRAYER RECITAL The Embassy of Malaysia in the Kingdom of Bahrain organized an event to recite prayers for the new hijri year 1439H at the Chancery building on 20 September 2017. The event as attended by about 40 Malaysians residing in Bahrain which commenced at 5.30pm with end of the year doa, followed by Maghrib prayers, doa for new year and Isya' prayers. A short tahlil and Yassin was also recited for the late SPB YDP Agong, Tuanku Al Haj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah as well as victims that perished in the fire at Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah. The event concluded at 9.00pm with light pot-luck dinner, contributed by Embassy’s officers and guests.

MALAWAKIL MANAMA HOSTED AMBASSADOR VISITS MAYBANK FORMER KSN BAHRAIN H.E. Ambassador Agus Salim Yusof, his wife and all home- H.E. Ambassador Agus Salim Yusof made his first visit to based staff of the Malaysian Embassy in Manama played host the Maybank branch in Bahrain on 17 August to former Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN), 2017. Ambassador Agus met with the Bank’s General YBhg. Tan Sri Samsudin Osman and Puan Sri at Rumah Manager, Mr. Nor Rashidi Mohammad and discussed Malaysia on 2 September 2017. They were in Bahrain for 9 Bahrain’s economic and business scenario. Maybank days on a private trip. YBhg. Tan Sri Samsudin retired from Bahrain is one of the few Malaysian companies in Bahrain, the civil service in 2003 and is currently the Chairman of which is also the only Maybank branch in the region. The the Employees’ Provident Fund (KWSP). Bank was established in 2002 as a conventional wholesale bank. ManamaManama connectsconnects 5 6 5

OFFICIAL VISIT BY MALAKOFF On 1 August 2017, three (3) officers of MALAKOFF Berhad made a courtesy call on H.E. Ambassador Agus Salim bin Yusof at the Embassy. The Malaysian power company is the major shareholder in the Hidd Power Company (HPC) Bahrain. The officers briefed the Ambassador about their company’s existing project and its future plans in Bahrain.

MINISTER OF DEFENCE VISITS BAHRAIN

YB Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Minister of Defence and Minister of Special Functions of Malaysia was in Bahrain for a one-day working visit on 20 July 2017 to forge closer relations between Malaysia and Bahrain particularly in the fields of defence and security. While in Bahrain, the Minister met with a number of senior leaders including HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. YB Datuk Seri Hishammuddin was accompanied by his wife and officers.

INTERNATIONAL FAIR – BRITISH ASEAN 50th ANNIVERSARY SCHOOL OF BAHRAIN (BSB) In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the The International Family Fair (IFF) 2017 was organized by establishment of the Association of South East Asian the British School of Bahrain (BSB) on Friday, 24 November Nations (ASEAN), the Embassy of the Philippines in the 2017 at the school compound. Around 5,000 visitors Kingdom of Bahrain hosted a reception with other attended the BSB IFF this year. resident ASEAN Embassies at the Gulf Convention Centre This year, there are 14 Malaysian students from 8 on 14 November 2017. The five (5) ASEAN Embassies in families who choose to demonstrate cultures of East Bahrain are Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Malaysia, namely and . The Embassy of Philippines and Thailand. The night started off with Malaysia supported the efforts of the Malaysian parents by speech by Ambassador Alfonso A. Ver of the Philippines, securing promotional materials from Tourism Sabah and cake cutting ceremony by the VVIPs and continued with Tourism Sarawak, and supplying the traditional costumes. fashion show of traditional costumes, participated by the H.E. Ambassador Agus and wife attended the opening community. There are also country booths set-up for the ceremony and toured the fair. guests to have a glimpse of ASEAN at the pre-event area.

MANAMA CONNECTS ISSUE 4: JULY – DECEMBER 2017 CONSULAR INFORMATION

 Malaysians residing in the Kingdom of Bahrain are highly encouraged to register with the Embassy of Malaysia in Manama. Registering with us will enable the Embassy to get in touch with Malaysians, especially during emergency situations.

 For Visa application, below are the requirements:

1. Passport valid for at least six (6) months prior to departure. 2. Passport should have at least two (2) empty pages facing each other. 3. Two (2) passport size photographs. 4. Copy of flight ticket booking AND hotel booking/accommodation address in Malaysia. 5. No objection letter from sponsor in Bahrain. 6. Invitation from host in Malaysia AND multiple ticket and reservation (for Multiple Entry Visa). 7. Visa fees (please bring exact amount in cash) a. Single Entry – BHD 5.000 b. Multiple Entry – BHD 10.000 8. Three (3) months Bank Statement. 9. Visa approval letter (for student). 10. Copy of CPR. 11. Application form – http://www.jimlondon.net/Form_IM.47.pdf Note: Visa application process is three (3) working days.

 For further information, the Embassy can be reached with details below.

Embassy of Malaysia Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

Address: Building 2305 Road 2830, Block 428 Seef District, P.O. Box 18292 Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

Telephone: +973 1756 4551 Fax: +973 1756 4552

Email: [email protected]

Webpage: www.kln.gov.my/web/bhr_manama/home

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Embassy-of-Malaysia- Manama-Kingdom-of-Bahrain-260557334072236/

Working Days: Sunday-Thursday (7.30 am to 2.30pm)

Consular hours: Application 8am – 10.30am; Collection 11am – 1pm