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THE E-NEWSLETTER OF THE EMBASSY OF IN MANAMA CONNECTS ISSUE NO. 8 – OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2018

SERVICES EXPORT ACCELERATION MISSION TO BAHRAIN The Malaysia External Trade services sector, mainly on  Visit to Bahrain Economic Development Corporation architecture and engineering Development Board (EDB); (MATRADE) organised the participated in the mission which  Joint Reception by ASEAN Export Acceleration Mission for was led by Dato' Wan Latif Wan Bahrain Council and Bahrain professional services to Bahrain Musa, Deputy CEO of Society of Engineers; from 9 to 13 December 2018. MATRADE.  Visit to The purpose of the trade mission The programme lined up Development Authority; was to seek potential projects for the delegates included Round and partners in Bahrain as well as Table Meeting with potential local  Meeting with the developer of to attend the 5th Arab Housing partners and networking dinner Diyar Al . Conference hosted by the with the Malaysian private The Mission was really an eye- Ministry of Housing Bahrain. companies in Bahrain. The opener to the participating Twelve (12) Malaysian delegation also did the following; companies about the prospect of companies from the professional  Courtesy call and meeting with Bahrain and has resulted in a very promising outcome. Ambassador of Malaysia; Manama connects issue 8: OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2018 2 2 From the Ambassador’s Desk

Salam sejahtera,

The year 2018 was not only historic for Malaysia but also full of political and economic uncertainties. From the start of the year, the nation was expecting for the general elections that must be held in the first half of the year. The elections that were held on 9 May resulted in the change of the government for the first time after six decades. The uncertainties, to some extent, have affected government and business dealings between Malaysia and Bahrain. In spite of this, bilateral relations between the  SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd. in 1st two countries did record some encouraging International Downstream Exhibition; and developments. As this is the last issue of our newsletter for  Deputy Chief of Army in 14th Manama Dialogue. the year, let me recollect the main bilateral activities that happened between Malaysia and the Kingdom of The biggest event of the year organised by the Bahrain, as well as the main activities of the Embassy Embassy was the first-ever “Malaysia Week in Bahrain” during the year. that took place from 3 to 10 March. The program It has been 15 years since the Embassy of consists of Malaysian cuisine promotion by Swiss- Malaysia was established in Manama on 16 September Belhotel and Wyndham Garden Hotel, food products 2003. A small celebration was held at the chancery to promotion by LuLu hypermarkets and Aljazira commemorate this, as well as to celebrate Malaysia Day supermarkets, live renditions of traditional songs and which also falls on 16 September. music, the launching of the Malaysian universities’ The long wait for the setting up of the Embassy of alumni group, food , hi-tea reception, Iskandar the Kingdom of Bahrain in Malaysia was finally over Malaysia presentation and premium property-cum- with the issuance of a Decree by His Majesty King Hamad fashion showcase. I thank all participants and sponsors Al Khalifa on 21 May 2018. The preparation to start a for making this event a success. full-fledged Embassy is under way. Having direct air links between Malaysia and As a follow up to the official visit to Bahrain by Bahrain would certainly help in enhancing trade and the former Malaysian Prime Minister at the end of 2017, tourism on both sides. During the year, I have the Government of Malaysia, in April, contributed some communicated with Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air tropical plants and trees to His Majesty King Hamad Al and Gulf Air, inviting them to consider introducing Khalifa, as a long-term symbol of friendship between scheduled air services between and Malaysia and Bahrain. Manama. Their responses were positive. The Embassy Several contacts involving the governments from also disseminated information about upcoming mega both sides took place during the year in order to explore projects in Bahrain, namely the King Hamad new fields of collaboration. These comprised of: and Bahrain Metro, to relevant companies in Malaysia. . Investment mission by Iskandar Malaysia to In October, two Malaysian youths won prizes in Bahrain; the “Nasser bin Hamad Creativity Award” under the . Visit by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to Gulf categories of science and graphic design respectively in University Bahrain; their respective age group. . Visit by Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior to The year 2018 did not pass without a setback. CyberSecurity Malaysia; Malaysia’s Maybank, which have been operating in . Visit by Bahrain Economic Development Board to Bahrain as a conventional wholesale bank since 2002, Iskandar Regional Development Authority; had to roll down its curtains in August following a top . Visit by Bahrain Economic Development Board to management decision. several financial institutions in Kuala Lumpur; The Bahrain chapter of PERWAKILAN (The and Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Ladies Association) opened . Professional Services Export Acceleration Mission its door for the first time to non-embassy Malaysian to Bahrain by MATRADE. ladies. This was done to strengthen the Association so In addition to that, Malaysian government that it can organise more activities for the benefit of officers/agencies took part in the following events Malaysian ladies residing here. I hope that more of our organised in Bahrain in 2018: ladies will join PERWAKILAN this coming year.  Education Malaysia in 6th Bahrain Education Lastly, I wish the readers of “Manama Connects” and Training Exhibition; a happy, prosperous and successful New Year.  Malaysian Embassy in International Embassies’ Have a pleasant reading. Bazaar ;  Johor Heritage Foundation in Bahrain Summer Terima kasih.

Festival; Agus Salim bin Yusof Manama connects issue 8: OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2018 3 3

AMBASSADOR’S MEETING WITH RCSI BAHRAIN

On 16 October 2018, Ambassador Agus Salim had a meeting with the senior management of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI), Bahrain, led by its President, Professor Sameer Ottom. The meeting was at RCSI’s request. Since establishing its campus as an international branch in Bahrain in 2004, RCSI, Bahrain has been one of the leading universities in the Kingdom offering medical courses from the Schools of Medicine, Nursing & Midwife as well as Postgraduate Studies & Research. After the meeting, the Ambassador was taken on a tour around the campus located in Busaiteen.

Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman, MALAYSIAN YOUTHS His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, honoured the SHINE IN BAHRAIN winners of the Nasser Bin Hamad International Youth Creativity Award (NBH Award) on 22 October 2018 at the Sports City. Adik Nuratirah Syafikah from Arts School Malaysia in Johor won the 2nd place in the Graphic Design category for the 14-17 age group with her artwork entitled “Safe Me”. Another Malaysian youth, Mr Laveneishyan Mogan from Seremban also managed to win the 2nd place in the Science category for the 18-24 age group. The award presentation was held in conjunction with the First Global Youth Festival for Sustainable Development Goals organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs, Bahrain. SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd. was one of the SIRIM IN BAHRAIN exhibitors at the 1st International Downstream Exhibition and Conference from 23 to 25 October 2018 in Manama, Bahrain. The FOR INTERNATIONAL event was organised by Gulf Downstream Association (GDA). EXHIBITION Among major oil and gas industry players that took part in the exhibition were Shell, Saudi Aramco and Honeywell. SIRIM QAS’ representatives reported good interests shown by some exhibitors and visitors on services offered by the company and further discussions have been planned with the interested parties. SIRIM is Malaysia’s leading certification, inspection and testing institute. It set up a branch office in Bahrain in 2017. Manama connects issue 8: OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2018 4 2

Malaysia took part in the Extraordinary Session of the Islamic EXTRAORDINARY Conference of Culture Ministers in Ritz Carlton Hotel, Bahrain on 28 SESSION OF THE and 29 November 2018, organized by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). ISLAMIC CONFERENCE The meeting was held in conjunction with the closing of the OF CULTURAL celebration of Muharraq as the Arab Region’s Islamic Cultural Capital MINISTERS for 2018. His Excellency Ambassador Agus Salim bin Yusof represented Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia during the session.

THE BEAUTY OF SIPADAN FROM BAHRAINI LENSES

A group of professional divers from Bahrain led by Mr Hassan Janahi, shot and produced an amazing video of underwater scenery at Sipadan Island, a world-renowned diving site in Malaysia. The 12-minute video was shot last August and had been uploaded on YouTube. It has hit 8,577 views up to 26 December 2018. The video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMokOXv6EL0&t=299s. On 6 December 2018, Ambassador Agus Salim bin Yusof met two of the team members over lunch at Capital Club to express the Embassy’s appreciation on their works. During the lunch meeting, they also presented us with a photo of a clown fish which they shot at Sipadan.

AMBASSADOR OFFICIATES DXN nd TRADING BAHRAIN 2 OUTLET

Ambassador Agus Salim bin Yusof officiated the second outlet of DXN Trading at Ramli Mall, Bahrain on 7 December 2018. DXN Trading Bahrain is the official local distributor for Malaysia’s DXN Marketing Sdn. Bhd., the world’s largest seller of ganoderma products which includes toothpaste, food supplements, tea and cosmetics. DXN Trading has been present in Bahrain since 2003. Its other outlet is at Batelco Builing, Manama.

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DELMON POST INTERVIEWS AMBASSADOR On 3 October 2018, Ambassador Agus Salim bin Yusof received at the Embassy Mr. Mohmmed Alghasra, a journalist from the Delmon Post, an online news portal established in 2016. The latter came to interview Ambassador Agus on the latest development on the state of bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Kingdom of Bahrain as well as other subjects such as trade and tourism, investment and Malaysia's new government. The is the first time Delmon Post had approached the Embassy for an interview. The interview was posted online on the same day.

NATIONAL SPORTS DAY 2018 National Sports Day 2018 was celebrated by the Embassy of Malaysia, Manama on 13 October 2018 at Beach from 7.00 am to 9.00 am. The morning started with light exercise, led by Mr. Samer Fateel, before starting brisk walking for about 1.5 km around the park. After that, all the Embassy staff and family members proceeded with three tele-match games and ended with a picnic under the tree with sumptuous traditional breakfast spread. The event was attended by 19 members of the Embassy with their family members.

THE AWARD-WINNING BATIK This radiant Malaysian batik shirt worn by Ambassador Agus Salim bin Yusof won him the best-dressed award at the 9th anniversary party of the Capital Club on 25 October 2018. The Club is an exclusive business/social club located at Level 51 & 52, Bahrain Financial Harbour. Its activities include business talk series, presentation by celebrity chefs, product launching and cocktail receptions.

THE EMBASSY’S STAR EMPLOYEE (OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2018)

Manama connects issue 8: OCTOBER – DECEMBER2018 6 2 CHARITY BAKE SALE The Embassy of Malaysia in Manama, Bahrain participated in the “Think Pink Bake Sale” at the Bahrain Financial Harbour on 7 November 2018. The Embassy sold 100 vanilla and pandan muffins, which were prepared by PERWAKILAN Manama ladies the day before. The Think Pink Bake Sale was organized by the Bahrain Financial Habour for the Think Pink organization, where all proceeds of the sales are contributed to the charity organization promoting breast cancer awareness. The Embassy collected BD45 (RM 495) from the sale which was fully donated to the Think Pink organization.

A day before, PERWAKILAN Manama gathered at Ms Siti Fateha Khairudin, PERWAKILAN Manama Secretary, house in Janabiya to bake 100 pandan and vanilla muffins for the “Think Pink Bake Sale”. The Deepavali public holiday that falls on the day was dedicated for the baking and packing of the muffins before selling it for charity the next day.

Informative Video on Letter of Good Conduct The Communications & Public Diplomacy Division, Wisma Putra released a short video on the Letter of Good Conduct with the objective to increase public awareness on the roles and services provided by Wisma Putra. The video is available in the Ministry’s portal at https://www.kln.gov.my/video/skb.mp4 The video has also been uploaded in the Embassy’s facebook account.

AMBASSADOR’S BUNDLE OF JOY

Ambassador Agus Salim received his bundle of joy on 14 November 2018 at 9.31pm at Royal Bahrain Hospital when baby Ammar Syazwan bin Agus Salim was delivered by Mrs Norsyazwani Hamdan. On 20 November 2018, Ambassador Agus hosted a Majlis Aqiqah and Cukur Jambul for baby Ammar at Rumah Malaysia, attended by family members, Home-Based Staffs, as well as Malaysians residing in Bahrain. The event was preceded by Doa Selamat led by Ustaz Rosli bin Zakaria, followed by the cukur jambul by male guests and feasting of the aqiqah mutton prepared by family members. The Embassy wishes its heartiest congratulations to Ambassador Agus on the new addition to the family.

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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 to Malaysia application, below are the requirements:

1. Passport validity of 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.

Embassy of Malaysia Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

Address: Building 2305 Road 2830, Block 428 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