The British Malaysian Society Newsletter – Autumn 2017 BMS concert: Music for Malaysia Commemorative A concert celebrating 60 years of Merdeka Conference: 60 Years of (From left) Malaysia-UK Relations Tazul Tajuddin LONDON - A Commemorative Conference: 60 (Composer) Years of Malaysia-UK Relations was held at The Hao Zi Yoh (Pianist) Parkcity Grand Plaza Hotel, Kensington on Thursday Mei Yi Foo (Pianist) 14 September 2017 Pei Ann Yeoh (violinist) Kharunnisa Diyana Md Noor (soprano) Bobby Chen (pianist) BMS photo The Society presented the concert Music for Malaysia at St Lawrence Jewry, Guildhall Yard, Panel discussion – BMS photo th London, on Tuesday 3 October 2017, as part of the BMS celebration of Malaysia’s 60 This year marked the 60th anniversary of Anniversa ry of Merdeka (Independence) and featured the work of contemporary Malaysian diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the composers Tazul Tajuddin, Chong Lim Ng and Pei Ann Yeoh. United Kingdom. The continued close people-to- Their pieces were performed by Malaysian musicians based in the UK - award winning and internationally recognised pianists Bobby Chen and Mei Yi Foo, recent music graduates Yeoh people ties at the ground level and the revival of Pei Ann and Hao Zi Yoh, and a special performance by soprano Kharunnisa Diyana Md Noor high-level visits in more recent years including from the Faculty of Music UiTM. those by Prime Minister Najib, former Prime An arrangement of the score “Sketch for Malaysia” written for Malaya’s (now Malaysia) Minister Cameron and the Duke and Duchess of National Anthem was performed by Bobby Chen, and Haliza Hashim-Doyle narrated the Cambridge, attest to the commitment of both fascinating story behind Malaysia’s National Anthem, Negara Ku. countries to nurture this relationship which has Guests also had the wonderful opportunity to hear the winning compositions of the BMS gone from strength to strength. 60th Merdeka Music Award from the graduates of the Overseas Masters Winter Piano The Conference highlighted the strong and solid Academy performed by concert pianist Bobby Chen, the Academy’s founder. bond between the United Kingdom and Malaysia. During the interval in the Commonwealth Chapel guests had the chance to view the stained Britain’s recent Brexit vote and Malaysia’s pivotal glass windows commemorating the Commonwealth countries existing in 1957, including the role in ASEAN has enabled the strengthening of Federation of Malaya. business and economic relations. The Conference Following the concert an optional buffet supper was available for concertgoers in the discussed ways take bilateral ties to new heights. Members Private Dining Room of the Guildhall Club, Guildhall, facilitated by the kind The event was held in the presence of His support of Alderman Sir Alan Yarrow, Lord Mayor in 2014-15, who was born in Malaysia. Excellency Dato' Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi, the Malaysian High Commissioner to UK, who was guest of honour and delivered the opening address. Talk by HE Vicki Treadell: There was a Special Address by The Hon Richard th Graham MP, the Trade Envoy of the British Prime “Malaysia in the 60 year of Merdeka” Minister with Keynote Address by Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, member, National Economic Council. HE Vicki Treadell, British High There were two panel sessions. Commissioner to Malaysia, gave a talk “Malaysia in the 60th year of Merdeka” at Talk by Peter Hadsley-Chaplin “100 The Inner Temple, London on Wednesday 27 September 2017. years of Palm Oil – its outlook and The event was attended by over 50 BMS sustainability for the future” members and guests who heard the High Peter Hadsley-Chaplin, Chairman of MP Evans plc, Commissioner present an insightful view of who has worked in the palm oil industry for many th Malaysia in the 60 year of Merdeka. years, gave a highly entertaining and informative She was candid in reviewing the current talk on 100 years of palm oil and its sustainability political situation, economic progress and for the future at London Capital Club on 11 July growing concern over creeping intolerance. HE Vicki Treadell presenting her talk to an 2017. attentive audience. – BMS photo He noted the route palm oil took from Africa to Indonesia and Malaysia, and how it flourished in these countries but not in Africa. He also Monday 4 December commented on the environmental degradation in SAVE THE DATE “Education Panel Discussion“, House both Malaysia and Indonesia and destruction of the We have two more special events for of Lords, 6.00pm to 8.00pm natural habitat of the orang utan and other animals. th the 60 Merdeka, so please save the Thursday 4 January 2018 following dates: Talk by Tony Collingridge, “Prospects Tuesday 31 October for the Malaysian economy, trade and BMS Annual Dinner at the Inner investment in 2018”, venue TBA, Temple, 7.00pm – 11.00pm 6.00pm to 8.30pm. Monday 18 December OTHER EVENTS. Members will be notified of Chairman’s Christmas Reception other events to which they will be invited, House of Lords, 6.30pm – 8.30pm including those organised by My-UK and Malaysian Govt bodies, including MIDA and MATRADE. Members will be advised of full There will be a charge for both these details, and how to book/pay, by flyers sent out events. nearer the date. From left: Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, BMS President, More details are on our website. www.thebritishmalaysiansociety.org a BMS guest and Peter Hadsley-Chaplin BMS photo Eid Dinner at Satay Malaysia marks National Day in a Najib and May reaffirm ato House, London. show of love, solidarity Malaysia-UK ties The Malay Mail Online Thursday 31 August 2017 The Malay Mail Online Friday 15 September 2017 Participants wave the Jalur Gemilang during the National Day parade at Dataran Merdeka in launch Kuala Lumpur August 31, 2017. ― The Society held its annual Eid Dinner at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak Picture by Satay House, Sale Place, London on 5 met his UK counterpart Theresa May at July 2017. Miera Zulyana 10, Downing Street in London. ― HE Dato’ Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi, KUALA LUMPUR: - Malaysians from all walks of life today Bernama pic Malaysian High Commissioner to the UK, celebrated National Day 2017 around the country in an KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime was guest of honour and nearly 30 overwhelming expression of love and solidarity Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he members attended the dinner. Malaysians thronged the venues of the celebration in the federal and his UK counterpart Theresa May Established for over 40 years, Satay and state capitals and other cities to watch a colourful display of reaffirmed strong relations between both House Malaysian Restaurant (which is a culture and dance, marching bands and uniformed personnel. countries in their meeting on 14 BMS member) serves traditional authentic The showcase on the ground and the flypast of aircraft overhead September 2017. Malaysian cuisine. Since 1973, the in Kuala Lumpur were complemented by visual displays on giant Najib said he told May in their meeting restaurant has created exceptionally fresh LED screens that delivered the story and message of the at 10 Downing Street, the UK Prime and delicious food found in one of South performance and parade clearly to the public. Minister’s office and official residence, East Asia’s most enchanting countries, The National Day extravaganza was themed “Negaraku: Sehati that Malaysia would be happy to discuss Malaysia. Sejiwa” (My Country: One Heart, One Soul). setting up a trade arrangement with the http://www.satay-house.co.uk/ The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, Prime UK, even as the UK is in the process of Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk leaving the European Union. British war veterans recall Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Cabinet ministers and guests watched “As an outward-looking trading the performance and parade. fond memories of serving nation, which the World Bank recently http://www.themalaymailonline.com/ said is facing the future ‘from a position in Malaya By HASHINI KAVISHTRI KANNAN Talk by Professor Finding Eden - Talk of strength’, Malaysia welcomes the opportunity to have a closer economic New Straits Times August 29, 2017 Terence Gomez: “Politics, by Robin Hanbury- partnership with the UK,” he added. policies and the corporate Tenison The Malaysian leader said his country sector in Malaysia” and the UK were united in the fight In a joint event with Coventry against terrorism and extremism. University and the BMS, . — Bernama Professor Terence Gomez, http://www.themalaymailonline.com Professor of Political Economy, University of Malaya, gave a talk ‘P olitics, policies and the corporate sector in Malaysia’ at Anak Anak Malaysia Coventry University’s London Robin Hanbury-Tenison signing This year Eco World once again The 39 members of the United National Campus on 27 July 2017 copies of his book “Finding participated in the AnakAnakMalaysia Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association Eden”. – BMS photo campaign which celebrates Malaysia’s (NMBVAA) arriving at Kuala Lumpur At a Sarawak Association talk at diversity and promotes unity and International Airport Pic by NSTP/AHMAD the Royal Over-Seas League in understanding among its people. IRHAM MOHD NOOR London on 29 September, In conjunction with National and attended by a number of BMS Malaysia Day, BMS members joined the SEPANG: Malaya, now Malaysia, has members, Robin Hanbury- Eco World campaign for drinks and always been regarded a second home for Tenison, OBE, DL, gave a lively refreshments at Rasa Sayang (in China most British Voluntary Veterans who illustrated presentation “Finding Town) on Wednesday 23 August fought and safeguarded the country during Eden, a journey into the heart of 2017, and joined other Malaysians for a the time of the Communist insurgency and Borneo”, an account of his The engaging talk provided a group photo, complete with Malaysian Indonesia -Malaysia confrontation.