THE E-NEWSLETTER OF THE EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN BAHRAIN MANAMA CONNECTS ISSUE NO. 17 – JANUARY TO MARCH 2021 THE EMBASSY’S ANNUAL DINNER PARTY The Embassy of Malaysia organized its Annual Dinner 2020 at Swisbel-Residences, Juffair on 28 January 2021. The cowboy-themed event was attended by the Embassy staff, Ladies Association of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia (PERWAKILAN) Manama Chapter and families. Ambassador Agus Salim Yusof in his speech, had expressed his gratitude to PERWAKILAN which supported and committed towards the embassy’s programs in 2020. Token of appreciation were given to two (2) PERWAKILAN members who contributed the most to PERWAKILAN activities. Fun and entertaining programmes were prepared to lift the spirit and mood of the New Year. Games such as charade, Pictionary and kid’s games were enjoyed by each group and programmes such as secret santa, raffles draw, best costumes and birthday celebration gave them the opportunity to bring home some gifts. The best-dressed male was won by Mr. Mohd Zaky bin Shafie and the best-dressed female went to little girl Zainab Ali. The event was sponsored by PERWAKILAN Manama. [TypeMANAMA here] CONNECTS [Type here] ISSUE 17: JANUARY – MARCH 2021[Type here] Page 2 [TypeMANAMA here] CONNECTS [Type here] ISSUE 17: JANUARY – MARCH 2021[Type here] APPRECIATING THE MALAYSIAN FRONTLINERS IN BAHRAIN The Embassy of Malaysia had the opportunity to distribute food packs containing laksa Johor, kuih kaswi and karipap to Malaysian nurses who served at the Mohammed Bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre (MKCC) on 25 February 2021. The effort was done to appreciate the nurses who are the frontliners in treating Covid-19 patients in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The scrumptious laksa Johor prepared by PERWAKILAN Manama were distributed to three (3) residential areas of the nurses in Rifa’. Currently, there are 34 Malaysian nurses working at the hospital. Representatives from the Embassy had a moment with the nurses where they shared their challenges and hardship as the frontliners during the worldwide pandemic in a foreign country. They thanked and appreciated the Embassy's concern. Page 3 [TypeMANAMA here] CONNECTS [Type here] ISSUE 17: JANUARY – MARCH 2021[Type here] ASEAN H.O.M. BREAKFAST AT THE INDONESIAN RESIDENCE On 14 January 2021, Ambassador Agus Salim bin Yusof joined the ASEAN Heads of Mission in Bahrain Breakfast Meeting at the Residence of Indonesian Ambassador, His Excellency Nur Syahrir Raharjo. It was held in conjunction with the visit of Singapore Ambassador in Riyadh, His Excellency Wong Chow Ming. MEETING WITH BAHRAIN BUSINESSWOMEN’S SOCIETY On 28 March 2021, Ambassador Agus Salim Bin Yusof met Ms. Ahlam Janahi, the President of Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society (BBS) with some of its exco members at her office. The President presented the Ambassador their commemorative book in conjunction with the Society’s th 20 anniversary of establishment as the very first women’s professional organization in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This meeting opened a new window for business connection between Bahraini businesswomen and their Malaysian counterparts. Page 4 [TypeMANAMA here] CONNECTS [Type here] ISSUE 17: JANUARY – MARCH 2021[Type here] FAREWELL DINNER FOR THE AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN On 31 March 2021, Ambassador Agus Salim bin Yusof hosted a farewell dinner for his counterpart from Japan, His Excellency Ambassador Hideki Ito. The dinner was attended by ambassadors of Indonesia, Thailand and Chargé d’Affaires of Brunei Darussalam. Ambassador Hideki Ito left the Kingdom in mid-April 2021 for retirement. YAASIN RECITATION AND PRAYERS AT THE CHANCERY On 11 March 2021, the Embassy held Yaasin recitation, tahlil and doa selamat at the Chancery. It was led by the Ambassador himself. This is the first time where the home-based staff conducted a religious activity since the Chancery moved to Al Mahooz in July last year. The staff and families also prayed for the Head of Chancery who was getting married in Malaysia, and for baby Alisha Sofia binti Agus Salim who would turn 100 days old on 16 March 2021. Page 5 [TypeMANAMA here] CONNECTS [Type here] ISSUE 17: JANUARY – MARCH 2021[Type here] SECOND SECRETARY OF THE EMBASSY TIED THE KNOT The Second Secretary of the Embassy, Mrs. Siti Farsha Murni binti Izami tied the knot with Mr. Muhammad Nazrin bin Hanafi on 25 March 2021 at the Iskandar Johor Islamic Centre, Johor Bahru. The staff of the Embassy gave Mrs. Siti Farsha Murni a surprise small reception when she returned to work on 11 April 2021 where she was presented with a bouquet of flowers from the Ambassador’s wife. This was followed by her short speech and a brunch. All Embassy’s officers and staff wish them long lasting marital bliss and heartiest congratulations. THE EMBASSY’S STAR EMPLOYEE (JAN-MAR 2021) Mr. Sunil D’Souza Ambassador’s Driver In Service since 1 November 2011 Professional aim: “hardworking, flexible, friendly, punctual and teamplayer” *A star employee receives personal cash contribution from the Ambassador. Page 6 [TypeMANAMA here] CONNECTS [Type here] ISSUE 17: JANUARY – MARCH 2021[Type here] ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) 2021/2022 PERWAKILAN Manama held the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2021/2022 on 21 January 2021 at the Embassy of Malaysia in Manama. The meeting began with speech by PERWAKILAN Manama’s Advisor, Ambassador Agus Salim bin Yusof and Chairperson, Mrs. Norsyazwani H amdan. The meeting presented report of activities throughout the year 2020, the financial report for 2020 and discussion on the activities for first quarter 2021. PERWAKILAN MANAMA COMMITTEE 2021 Advisor His Excellency Ambassador Agus Salim Yusof Chairperson Mrs. Norsyazwani Hamdan Secretary Mrs. Siti Farsha Murni Izami Treasurer Mrs. Julia binti Suhaili Committee Member Mrs. Nazira Abdul Malik Auditor Mrs. Doris Samson Page 7 [TypeMANAMA here] CONNECTS [Type here] ISSUE 17: JANUARY – MARCH 2021[Type here] VISIT TO NATIONAL MUSEUM AND BAHRAIN FORT 23 January 2021 – PERWAKILAN Manama members and their families spent their time to visit the Bahrain Fort and National Museum as part of getting to know Bahrain better and providing new perspectives of historical places. The Bahrain National Museum is the largest and oldest public museum in Bahrain. It is situated in Manama, adjacent to the National Theatre. Opened on 15 December 1988 by the Emir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the USD 30 million museum complex covers 27,800 square meters and is the country's main tourist attraction. It is believed to be the region's first modern museum. The Qal'at al-Bahrain also known as the Bahrain Fort or Portuguese Fort, is a prominent archaeological site located in Bahrain. Archaeological excavations carried out since 1954 have unearthed antiquities from an artificial mound of 12 meter height containing seven stratified layers, created by various occupants from 2300 BC up to the 18th century, including Kassite, Greeks, Portuguese and Persians. It was once the capital of the Dilmun civilization and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Page 8 [TypeMANAMA here] CONNECTS [Type here] ISSUE 17: JANUARY – MARCH 2021[Type here] WEEKEND GETAWAY AT JAW RESORT The PERWAKILAN ladies and families went to Jaw Resort on the east coast of Bahrain on 26 and 27 February as an activity during the weekend. The resort provides complete privacy in each villas with their very own climate-controlled swimming pool and a spacious patio. The resort has access to 200-metre white sandy beach which offers a complete spectrum of comfort and seaside activities, making it the perfect getaway for the family. All of us had an unforgettable memory of picnicking, barbequing, morning exercising and karaoke at the resort. The activity is definitely a way in getting a significant getaway from the daily work routine. Page 9 [TypeMANAMA here] CONNECTS [Type here] ISSUE 17: JANUARY – MARCH 2021[Type here] VISIT TO A SCHOOL FOR THE DISABLED AND AN ORPHANAGE CENTRE 03 March 2021 – As part of PERWAKILAN Manama’s charitable activities, we had the opportunity to visit Bahraini Association for Disability and Autism; and Al Sanabel Orphan Care Society. The main purpose of the visits was to hand over donations from PERWAKILAN and staff of the Embassy in the form of cash, stationery, clothing and handicrafts. A number of 40 special children are taken care by the school. The PERWAKILAN ladies were given a tour around the centre by the Chairman herself, Ms. Farida Al-Moayyed and Dr. Ahmed Malullah Al-Ansari, the Vice President. During the pandemic, the class are still on-going in virtual mode. The teachers and administrator shared on their experience and challenges in assisting the special-needed children in preparing them for their future. Apart from sponsors, the school also receive assistance from the government of Bahrain. Later in the day, we went to Al Sanabel Orphan Care Society in Busaiteen. The centre currently helps 800 families including non-Bahraini where the orphans were registered under the centre. The centre has a system where all donations including household appliances are kept at the centre. If the family of the orphans need any of the items, they may come and get anything available at the centre for free of charge. Page 10 [TypeMANAMA here] CONNECTS [Type here] ISSUE 17: JANUARY – MARCH 2021[Type here] LADIES WEEKEND ACTIVITIES “Housewarming” at Mrs. Julia’s House On 30 January 2021, PERWAKILAN members and families attended Mrs. Julia’s housewarming lunch. Scrumptious menus such as fish curry, chicken soy bean sauce, kerabu mangga and badak berendam were prepared for us. Mrs. Julia Suhaili and husband arrived in Bahrain on 9 November 2020. She is the Second Secretary of the Embassy. Steamboat and Barbeque Night at the Embassy On 5th February 2021, members of PERWAKILAN held a steamboat and barbeque activity at the Embassy.