ПОСОЛЪСТВО МАЛАЙЗИИ В МОСКВЕ EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN MOSCOW FROM AMBASSADOR’S DESK Greeting to all Malaysians & Dear Friends, visit by Foreign Minister YB Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, just this. past November As 2019 draws to a close, it is with great pleasure that I convey warmest greetings to you, on behalf of the Embassy of Malaysia That notwithstanding, I am especially pleased that under my watch, the in the Russian Federation. Embassy successfully coordinated the visit of YAB Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East region. I am pleased to share with you the Embassy’s Newsletter which YAB Prime Minister’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin encapsulate key diplomatic events and activities which we had had effectively laid the foundation for strengthened relations, as undertaken throughout 2019. Among others, these include evidenced by the follow-up visit by YB Minister of Economic Affairs, official engagements, people-to-people contacts as well as Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali in October, for the inaugural meeting of social and sports activities. the Malaysia Russia Joint Commission Meeting on Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation. Despite being geographically far apart, Malaysia and Russia have enjoyed a long history of friendship and relations. Fifty-two From the various highlights in the newsletter, I believe that the years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Malaysia and Embassy has successfully maintained the excellent momentum and Russia today stand as two countries with shared values, global successes achieved in the previous year, especially on core business interests and strong links. areas such as engagement with various diplomatic, business, academia and other communities, as well as with the Malaysian Despite that, there have been challenges which tested the diaspora in Russia. relations most notably the MH17 tragedy of 2014. Nevertheless, as strong and equal partners, both Malaysia and Russia remain I wish to reaffirm the Embassy’s commitment to advancing sustained committed to uncovering the truth surrounding the tragedy, in and steady development of bilateral cooperation, as well as the keeping with the strength of Malaysia-Russia relationship and enhancement of mutual understanding and friendship between the the trust the two countries have in each other. peoples of Malaysia and Russia. As Ambassador, I feel a great amount of satisfaction at the On behalf of all Embassy officials and staff, I take this opportunity to significant improvement in Malaysia-Russia relations during my wish everyone happy holidays. May the new year bring ever increasing tenure, but especially so in 2019. Throughout the year, there joy, happiness and prosperity and Happy New Year 2020! have been several ministerial level visits, including the recent AMBASSADOR DATUK MAT DRIS HAJI YAACOB EMBASSY ANNUAL DINNER: MASQUERADE As part of the Embassy’s commitment to recognise and appreciate the work and contribution of both Home-Based Staff (HBS) and Locally Recruited Staff (LRS), an Annual Dinner / Appreciation Dinner event was held with “Masquerade”, as theme. The dinner also contained a competition segment entitled “Embassy’s Got Talent: Season II”, which saw HBS and LRS trying to outdo each other through various performances. Especially memorable and noteworthy performances included the Panca Sitara, Kalinka, magic show and singing or traditional Russian songs by the LRS. The event concluded on a very cheerful note as participants received their various prizes! In his pre-dinner remarks, H.E. Ambassador thanked all officials and staff for their hard work and dedication to the Embassy in 2018, and expressed hope that similar commitment and momentum will continue throughout 2019 and beyond. Best wishes to everyone in 2019! 2 | P a g e FAREWELLS AND WELCOMING MOSCOW, 16 April 2019 – H.E. Ambassador Datuk Mat Dris Haji Yaacob hosted a farewell dinner in honor of two (2) Embassy officials and their families namely, Ms. Hadiyana Md Yatim (Prime Minister’s Department - JPM) and Staff Sergeant Mohamad Faisol Md Nasir (MINDEF), who had completed their tours of duty. In his remarks, H.E. Ambassador expressed Puan Hadiyana Md. Yatim S/Sgt. Mohamad Faisol Md Nasir appreciation and gratitude on behalf of all officials and staff to both Ms. Hadiyana and Mr. Faisol for their support and contribution to the Embassy, during their tenure in Moscow. Wishing all the best to Ms. Hadiyana and Mr. Faisol in their future undertakings and hoping that the spirit of close friendship and camaraderie Moscow, 25 June 2019 – The Embassy forged in Moscow will continue undiminished. organized a joint farewell and welcoming luncheon for Mr. Hanisan “До Свидания” Hadiyana and Faisol! Hamzah, departing Chief Administrative Clerk and his successor, Mr. Mohd Izuwan Mohamad Nor. The Embassy wishes all the very best to Mr. Hanisan who will be assuming a Encik Hanisan Hamzah new position at Wisma Putra headquarters and warmly welcomes Mr. Izuwan to Moscow! Moscow, 8 July 2019 – H.E. Ambassador hosted a welcoming Encik Mohd Izuwan Mohamad Nor luncheon for two (2) newly arrived officers namely, Mr. Johan Ariff Abdul Razak, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) and Mr. Jeffri Munir, Tourism Attaché (TM Moscow). The luncheon was attended by all HBS and LRS and is part of the Embassy’s tradition to celebrate the arrival of newcomers to Moscow and to introduce them to embassy officials and staff. Encik Jeffri Munir Encik Johan Ariff Abdul Razak добро пожаловать в москву Mr. Johan and Mr. Jeffri! 3 | P a g e WORKING VISIT OF YAB PRIME MINISTER TO VLADIVOSTOK Vladivostok- 2019 saw a significant and positive development in diplomatic relations with Russia, beginning with the 4th September bilateral meeting between YAB Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 5th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF 2019) in Vladivostok, Russia. Throughout the visit, YAB Prime Minister was accompanied by YB. Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, YB. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Minister of Economic Affairs, YB. Datuk Darrel Leiking, Minister of International Trade and Industry, HE. Ambassador Datuk Mat Dris Haji Yaacob and other Senior Government Officials. Among the highlights of Malaysia’s participation in the EEF include the keynote address by YAB Prime Minister during the EEF Plenary Session, alongside President Putin and the leaders of India and Mongolia. YAB Prime Minister also held talks with Prime Minister Modi of India on the EEF sidelines, while YB Minister of MEA and MITI also held sideline talks with their respective counterparts. 4 | P a g e WORKING VISIT OF YB DATO’ SAIFUDDIN ABDULLAH, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS In the course of a global tour to engage with foreign leaders on the upcoming Kuala Lumpur Summit to be hosted by Malaysia, YB Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs undertook a working visit to Moscow. From the perspective of Malaysia-Russia relations, the visit was especially significant as it was YB Dato’ Saifuddin’s first ever working visit to Moscow in his capacity as Foreign Minister. The visit also comes in close and rapid succession to previous high level engagements between Malaysia and Russia since September 2019. During the visit, YB Dato’ Saifuddin held talks with his Russian counterpart, HE Sergey Lavrov on a wide range of bilateral and contemporary international issues. Following the conclusion of the official business of the working visit, the Embassy organised a high tea session in honor of YB Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the latter’s working visit to Moscow on 20-21 November. YB Foreign Minister was accompanied by his spouse, YBhg. Datin Norlin Shamsul Bahari and they took the opportunity to engage with Embassy officials and staff, as well as the PERWAKILAN ladies in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. 5 | P a g e AN EVENING WITH YB DATO’ SERI MOHAMED AZMIN ALI, MINISTER OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS In conjunction with YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s working visit to Moscow for the First Malaysia-Russia Joint Commission Meeting on Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation (JC ESTC), the Embassy organized a dinner in honor of YB Minister and the Malaysian delegation to the JC ESTC. The dinner was held at the Embassy’s Main Hall and was well attended by Embassy officials and staff as well as the Malaysian diaspora, including students who are currently pursuing their studies at various local universities in Moscow and other regions. In his remarks, YB Minister shared his thoughts on the current economic and political developments in Malaysia as well as on the outcomes of the Malaysia-Russia JC ESTC. As the event was informal and relaxed in nature, YB Minister also took questions and responded in a candid and frank manner. He also took the time to mingle with attendees and moved from table to table to interact with them. All in all, it was a very successful event which was much appreciated by all participants as it afforded an opportunity to get to know YB Minister in a relaxed atmosphere! 6 | P a g e THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADHAN RAMADHAN IS HERE! MOSCOW, 15 May 2019 - PERWAKILAN Moscow (EOM Ladies Association) gathered this morning at the Embassy to plan and prepare for the upcoming Eid-ul Fitr (Hari Raya Aidilfitri) celebrations, including the preparation of some traditional Malaysian ‘kueh’ and other delicacies. The activity was part of PERWAKILAN Moscow’s ongoing effort to encourage the sharing of knowledge and fresh ideas on how best to prepare for and celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri in a joyful and meaningful way. The Embassy takes this opportunity to wish all Muslims, their families and loved ones in Moscow and elsewhere a blessed Ramadhan! BUBUR LAMBUK @ RAMADHAN MOSCOW, 31 May 2019 - In celebration of the holy month of Ramadhan, the Embassy organised an event to prepare and cook Bubur Lambuk, a savoury rice porridge traditionally enjoyed and served during the iftar (breaking of fast).