MALAYSIA NEWS BULLETIN Vol. 2/2018 Newsletter of the Embassy of Malaysia in Zimbabwe MAY-DEC 2018 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: EVENTS HIGHLIGHT Events Highlight Head of Mission’s Diary In Focus: Malaysia’s Foreign Policy ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together Destination: Kedah Malaysia Economy: Quick Take Malaysia Tourism: Quick Take Malaysian Cabinet 2018 Activities of Foreign Ministry’s Ladies Association (PERWAKILAN) Malaysia’s Inaugural Debut at Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA) showcasing the diversity of Malaysian traditional dances during HIFA from 1–6 May 2018. Malaysia News Bulletin Vol. 2/2018 1 Mr. Amarjit Singh Sarjit Singh, Chargé d’Affaires, hosted a World #QuranHour was held at the Embassy on 30 Diplomatic & Business Club Friday Coffee at the Embassy on August 2018. The proceedings were led by Maulana 24 August 2018. Adama Mmadi, Zimbabwe’s representative to the 59th International Al Quran Recital and Memorizing Assembly in Malaysia. Students from several Islamic schools (madrasah) also took part in the event. The Embassy celebrated the 61st Anniversary of Malaysia’s Independence on 31 August 2018 with resident and visiting Malaysians. Malaysia – Zimbabwe Business Network (MYZIM BIZNET) – Zimbabwe Chapter, under the patronage of the Embassy, organised a Luncheon Talk: Doing Business with Malaysia by Malaysian Investor in South Africa, Mr. Peter Tan, Managing Director, Hardware Africa Private Limited was Guest Speaker on 7 September 2018. Malaysia News Bulletin Vol. 2/2018 2 1st ASEAN Film Festival in Zimbabwe – Malaysian and Some games including volleyball were held at Malaysia Indonesian Embassies in Zimbabwe jointly organised the 1st ASEAN House 12 October 2018 in conjunction with National Film Festival in Harare on 5 October 2018. Sports Day. Malaysia–Zimbabwe Business Network (MYZIM BIZNET)’s Business Trip to Kuala Lumpur and Penang jointly organised by the Embassy and the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Malaysia from 11-19 October 2018. Year-End Gathering at Malaysia House with resident Malaysians, the Embassy’s home-based staff with families and locally recruited staff on 30 November 2018 Malaysia News Bulletin Vol. 2/2018 3 HEAD OF MISSION’S DIARY 30 APR 2018 – Honorable Winston Chitando, Minister of Mines and Mining Development of Zimbabwe attended farewell dinner hosted by Chargé d’Affaires in honour of 4 MAY 2018 – Courtesy call on Chargé d’Affaires by H.E. H.E. David Hamadziripi, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Cuthbert Zhakata, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Malaysia. South Africa at Malaysia House. 5 MAY 2018 – Dinner hosted by Chargé d’Affaires at Malaysia House 20 MAY 2018 – Chargé d’Affaires attended Rotary with members of ASWARA cultural troupe who took part in HIFA 2018, Ambassador's E-Club Children's Tennis resident Malaysians and the Embassy’s home-based staff with families. Tournament in Harare. 7 JUN 2018 – Meeting with Mr. Ben Daroueche Ahmed Naguib, newly 13 JUN 2018 – Visit by cycling enthusiasts from appointed Honorary Consul of Malaysia in the Union of Comoros at the Sabah on expedition from Cape Town to Makkah. Embassy. Malaysia News Bulletin Vol. 2/2018 4 12 JUL 2018 – Courtesy Call on Chargé d’Affaires by H.E. Bronte Moules, 27 JUL 2018 – Courtesy call on Chargé Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe. d’Affaires by a Malaysian member of Commonwealth Observer Group for the Zimbabwean Harmonised Elections 2018, Advocate Mary Ann Ooi Suan. 8 SEP 2018 – Dinner hosted by Chargé d’Affaires at Malaysia House in honour of Ms. Narcisa Pheres, Founder and Creative Director of Pheres Fashion & Fine 31 JUL 2018 – Chargé d’Affaires with Indonesian, Nigerian and Indian Jewelry. Ambassadors as Observers during Zimbabwe Harmonised Elections 2018. 20 NOV 2018 – Study visit to Esko & Co. 20 NOV 2018 – Gathering with Malaysian diaspora in Mauritius. Ltd., Mauritius. Malaysia News Bulletin Vol. 2/2018 5 15 NOV 2018 – Courtesy call on Chargé d’Affaires by Mr. Foster 20 NOV 2018 – Call by Chargé d’Affaires on H.E. Dongozi, Secretary General of Zimbabwe Union of Journalists. Ambassador Usha Dwarka Canabady, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius in Port Louis, Mauritius. 24 NOV 2018 – Pre-departure discussion with Women in Mining 15 NOV 2018 – Discussion with Zimbabwe Federation of Zimbabwe at the Embassy in preparation to represent of Miners. Zimbabwe at National Conference and Exhibition on Mineral Resources and Mineral Based Product Development in Malaysia from 29-30 November 2018. 11 DEC 2018 – Farewell Call on Chargé d’Affaires by H.E. Stephanus Yuwono, Indonesian Ambassador to 11 DEC 2018 – Courtesy Call on Chargé d’Affaires by Miss. Zimbabwe. Kholwani Mangena, Chamber Secretary and Mr. Ngqabutho Moyo, Public Relations Officer of Victoria Falls Town Council. Malaysia News Bulletin Vol. 2/2018 6 IN FOCUS: MALAYSIA’S FOREIGN POLICY Malaysia continues to pursue an independent, 6. In terms of technical cooperation with other neighbour” policy to enhance economic relations and principled and pragmatic foreign policy, founded on developing countries, Malaysia has worked with cooperation with its neighbouring countries through the values of peace, humanity, justice, and equality. other countries through the sharing of its experience Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Phillippines East The overarching thrust of its foreign policy has been and knowledge through various foreign policy ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Indonesia- to safeguard Malaysia’s sovereignty and national mechanisms. These include the Malaysian Technical Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMTGT) and interests as well as to contribute meaningfully Cooperation Programme (MTCP) and through other entities. towards a just and equitable community of nations linkages such as the Langkawi International through the conduct of effective diplomacy. Dialogue, bilateral humanitarian assistance as well as through its public diplomacy programmes. 2. Malaysia’s foreign policy is largely influenced and shaped by three key factors, namely its strategic location in Southeast Asia, its attributes as a trading nation as well as its unique demography. While the foreign policy approaches may have differed over the years due to changing domestic and external factors, the basic principles of the policy have continued since independence. Policy- making has been guided by the criteria of credibility together with consistency and coherency, which have served the country’s best interests. DATO’ SERI RAMLAN IBRAHIM SECRETARY GENERAL MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA 3. ASEAN remains the cornerstone of Malaysia’s foreign policy and the establishment of the ASEAN DATO’ SAIFUDDIN ABDULLAH Community in 2015 has significantly elevated MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA 9. In line with the objectives of promoting and Malaysia’s approach and engagement at the protecting Malaysia’s interests abroad, a network of regional level. Concurrently strengthening bilateral 7. As a country with a large Muslim majority, 110 diplomatic missions in 84 countries as well as and multilateral aspects of Malaysia’s engagement Malaysia also gives importance to the solidarity of one friendship and trade centre have been with the world will continue to be an important the Ummah and the spirit of cooperation among the established. The diplomatic missions comprise focus. The nation’s well-being is founded on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates-General strong and friendly relations with other countries Malaysia’s status as a developing nation makes it and Consulates. and its commitment to the multilateral system. imperative for the country to engage actively in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Commonwealth, 10. In responding to the complexity in global affairs Group of Seventy Seven (G77), Developing Eight and expanding international relations, Malaysia’s (D8), Asia Middle East Dialogue (AMED), Far East conduct will continue to be guided by the principles Asia Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), Indian of respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Asia Europe Meeting integrity and non-interference in the affairs of other (ASEM) and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation nations, peaceful settlement of disputes, peaceful (APEC). co-existence and mutual benefit in relations. 8. Through these organisations, Malaysia has sought to promote the South-South Cooperation among the developing countries and the Muslim world. Malaysia also advocates the “Prosper thy 4. Under the present leadership of Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, Malaysia continues to promote a forward-looking and pragmatic foreign policy that facilitates trade, attracts foreign investment as well as projects Malaysia as a stable and peaceful country. 5. As a member of the UN, Malaysia is fully committed to multilateralism in advancing global peace, security and prosperity. Malaysia’s record in peacekeeping operations under the UN is a testimony of its dedication in carrying out the mandate of the international community in advancing global peace and security. At the UN and other international fora, Malaysia will continue to actively participate in the deliberations and efforts toward finding solutions to various global issues. Malaysia will continue with the principles of engagement and cooperation rather than isolationism and unilateral action. Malaysia News Bulletin Vol. 2/2018 7 ASEAN 2025: FORGING AHEAD TOGETHER The formal establishment of the ASEAN Community The Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan at the end of 2015 is not the end