PM in Gaza: First Malaysian PM to visit enclave

Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (L) greets Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri (R) during Najib's visit to Gaza City on January 22, 2013. AFP/ Mohammed Salem GAZA CITY, Palestine Jan 22: Datuk Seri Najib Razak became the first Malaysian Prime Minister to set foot on the Palestinian soil when he entered the Gaza Strip this morning to begin a one-day humanitarian visit. He is also the only the second head of government or state to visit Gaza since Hamas took control of the tiny enclave more than five years ago. The Prime Minister who flew into Cairo yesterday, crossed the Gaza Strip from Egypt at the border crossing of Rafah. Najib was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri . He was welcomed by Hamas officials at the Gaza side of border crossing led by Palestine Prime Minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh. The Prime Minister will be taken around the small Palestinian territory - half the size of Perlis but eight time its population - by Haniyeh. He will lay the foundation stone of the new Palestinian Prime Minister's office after the old one was destroyed in an Israeli bombing last November. Najib will be meeting with Haniyeh's cabinet member and members of Parliament. Later in the visit, Najib will be conferred an honorary doctorate degree from the Al-Aqsa University, after which he will address the gathering. In a separate programme, Rosmah is visiting the Nasser Children Hospital where among others she will be laying the foundation stone of the hospital's trauma centre. The Prime Minister and his entourage is expected to return to Egypt later today. Najib's rare visit is the second by a head of government or state after Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani who entered Gaza also from the the border crossing of Rafah, last October. It is the latest in a string of high-profile trips to Gaza by Arab and Muslim leaders. During last November's eight-day war between Hamas and Israel, a delegation of Arab foreign ministers, along with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davatoglu, visited the small coastal territory on a solidarity mission. It was also reported that Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki will make his first visit to the Gaza Strip on February 9. The visits have been made possible in part by Egypt's decision to loosen some of the restrictions on travel through its Rafah border crossing with Gaza.— NST/Khaidir A Majid Professional networking event by TalentCorp London Feb 02: TalentCorp gathered Malaysian professionals based in London for an evening of dinner and networking here in London. During the evening, H.E. Dato' Sri Zakaria Sulong delivered his opening remarks to the crowd of approximately 100 . TalentCorp, Maybank, Iskandar Region Development Authority (IRDA) and SP Setia also had the opportunity to do a briefing and presentation to all the attendees. The evening saw Malaysians interacting with one another and they were informed of the development and opportunities that are abound back home. TalentCorp was established on 1 January 2011 under the Prime Minister’s Department to formulate and facilitate initiatives to address the availability of talent in line with the needs of the country’s economic transformation. Collaborating closely with relevant Government agencies and employers in priority economic sectors, TalentCorp develops demand-driven initiatives focused on three strategic thrusts, specifically - Optimise Malaysian talent, Attract and Facilitate Global Talent and Build Networks of Top Talent. For further information visit http://www.talentcorp.com.my/ H.E Dato’ Sri Zakaria Sulong giving his opening remarks Maulidur Rasul 2013 celebration

London Feb 01: The High Commission of in London has successfully organized the 2013 Maulidur Rasul celebration to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The programme started off with prayers, followed by a talk by prominent speaker Dato' Dr. Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti, lecturer at the Islamic Centre of the Faculty of Theology, Oxford University. Simultaneously throughout the celebration, a drawing competition was also organized for the children. Around 180 Malaysians residing around London attended the event. They were also treated to light refreshments at the end of the programme.

Photos: Dato’ Dr. Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti led the group ‘Selawat’ (right); Dato’ Dr. Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti delivering his talk (bottom left) and Children participating in the drawing competition (bottom right).

The Immigration Department & Consular Office is open Monday to Friday between 0900am and 1200pm.

Immigration: Tel No: 020 7919 0286 / 0263 — Consular: Tel No: 020 7919 0251 Should you need more information on Immigration and Consular matters, please visit the website at www.jimlondon.net Email: [email protected] (visa matters) OR [email protected] (lost passport matters) Visit by the National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association

Group photo of representatives and H.E. Dato' Sri Zakaria Sulong London Jan 21: Three representatives of the National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association called on H.E. Dato’ Sri Zakaria Sulong today. The call provided a chance to establish cooperation between the association and the Malaysian government. The representatives also took the opportunity to present some publications to the High Commissioner. Malaysia Kitchen promotes Malaysian Food

London Feb 02: Malaysian Kitchen and MATRADE organized a series of cooking demonstration using Malay- sian products and ingredients at the famous Wing Yip Superstores in Birmingham, Manchester, Crickle- wood and Croydon. Celebrity Chef Dhruv Baker, winner of the Masterchef 2010 has teamed up with Malaysia Kitchen to introduce to the UK public, Malaysian food through cooking demonstrations and tasting sessions. Among the Malaysian dishes served were Chicken Rendang, Laksa, Nasi Goreng and Kuey Teow Goreng. Oriental supermarket Wing Yip are promoting Malaysian products having seen a significant increase in the interest surrounding Malaysian food with a clear increase in sales figures, number of products stocked and consumer enquiries and requests. For more information visit Celebrity Chef Dhruv Baker doing a presentation with The High Commissioner, H.E. Dato' Sri Zakaria Sulong at Wing Yip http://www.malaysiakitchen.co.uk Oriental Supermarket, Cricklewood.

Najib joins 20,000 people to mix longest Yee Sang

Kuala Lumpur, Feb 17: Prime Minister

Datuk Seri Najib Razak today joined about 20,000 people to mix a 977-metre "yee sang" in ‘Sultans of Science’ (Islamic conjunction with a Science Rediscovered): 15th Dec 2012 - 15th Jun 2013 grand Chinese New Year celebration held Le Tour De Langkawi: 21st Feb in Jalan Bukit - 02nd Mar 2013

Bintang, here, today. 2013 Formula 1 Petronas Ma- Najib was laysia Grand Prix: 22nd Mar - accompanied by his 24th Mar 2013 wife Datin Seri Malaysia International Shoe Rosmah Mansor, Festival: 22nd Mar - 31st Mar f o r m e r p r i m e Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak showing the Malaysian Book of Records certificate after 2013 minister Dr tossing the longest Yee Sang in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration in Bukit Bintang, here today.— fotoBernama 1Malaysia GP Sale: 16th Mar - 07th Apr 2013 and wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, and several cabinet ministers. The yee sang, prepared by 69 professional chefs, was acknowledged and listed as the Astro Kasih Beautiful Malaysia: longest by the Malaysia Book of Records. Yee Sang, is a must-have delicacy of the Malaysian 06th Apr - 13th Apr 2013

Chinese community during the Chinese New Year celebrations as it symbolises prosperity and Malaysia Water Festival: 26th longevity. Earlier, Najib and Rosmah were welcomed on arrival by 333 lion dance performers Apr - 28th Apr 2013 and drummers as they walked towards the main stage. The prime minister also received a piece of drawing paper with the Mandarin word "sheng", meaning win, written on it after hitting the biggest drum on stage. The Chinese New Directories Year festival was jointly organised by 488 Chinese associations with the cooperation of 282 temple committees from throughout the country.— Trade and Investment Offices Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation MOU signings at MIDA London (MATRADE) 17 Curzon Street London W1J 5HR Tel: 020 7499 4644 / 5255 Email: [email protected] www.matrade.gov.my

Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) 17 Curzon Street London W1J 5HR Tel: 020 7493 0616 Email: [email protected]

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) 57 Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5DU Tel: 020 7930 7932 Website: www.tourism.gov.my

Education Malaysia London 30-34 Queensborough Terrace London W2 3ST Tel: 020 7985 1252 Email: [email protected] Representative from Clixster Mobile, Mr. Mahadzer Arshad and IFXBG, Mr. Ryan Gibson exchanges contract . Website: educationmalaysia.co.uk

London Jan 17: His Excellency Dato' Sri Zakaria Sulong, the High Commissioner to the UK International Maritime witnessed a signing ceremony between a Malaysian company Clixster Mobile and three other Organization (IMO) UK companies, IFXBG, X-Mobility and Salestar Connect which took place at MIDA London 45-46 Belgrave Square office. The companies involved are working together to develop and deliver mobile London SW1X 8QT applications. Also present to witness the ceremony were Ms. Najihah Abas, Counsellor at Tel: 020 7919 0149 MIDA London and Mr. Raja Badrulnizam Raja Kamalzaman, Counsellor at MATRADE [email protected] London.