The celebrations of the National Day and Malaysia Day 2022 are themed ‘Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama’ (Malaysian Family Strong Together) and it is very much in line with the commitment and concept of harmony of a large family
For Malaysia, its National Day is celebrated on 31 August every year. This year, the celebration of the National Day commemorates the 65th Anniversary of its independence since 1957, when peaceful negotiations ended the colonial rule and the Federation of Malaya emerged as the precursor to the modern Malaysia as we know it today.
On 16 September 1963, the Federation of Malaya was joined by Singapore and the two states in the island of Borneo, namely Sabah and Sarawak. Singapore then separated in 1965, but the date remains proclaimed as the Malaysia Day and it has also been celebrated ever since.
Malaysians all over the world, including in the Republic of Serbia, are celebrating the joyous and auspicious occasions of these two historical days with pride and in the spirit of solidarity and unity.
The celebrations of the National Day and Malaysia Day 2022 are themed ‘Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama’ (Malaysian Family Strong Together) and it is very much in line with the commitment and concept of harmony of a large family as aspired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Right Honourable Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The phrase ‘Malaysian Family’ refers to a society that lives in peace and unity in inclusion, togetherness and gratitude while the phrase ‘Strong Together’ supports the meaning of strength and unity achieved collectively and sustainably. In this regard, the spirit of a Malaysian Family Strong Together should be encouraged and embraced by all levels of society in our efforts to improve the lives of the people when facing the challenges of the global economy.
Keeping focus on continuity in a post-pandemic world, Malaysia has embodied Cultural Diplomacy as one of the approaches being reinvigorated
As the Head of Mission of the Embassy of Malaysia in Belgrade, the Republic of Serbia, I have always promulgated pillars of enhanced relations that constitute strengthening the relationship between our two nations, and among the main ones is people-to-people. Greater efforts must be undertaken to build a stronger people-to-people relationship. Strong and sustained people-to-people interaction acts as a paramount foundation for the development of closer and deeper understandings.
From the initial establishment of the bilateral relations between Malaysia and the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1967 to the reopening of the Embassy of Malaysia in Belgrade in 2004, the roles of our two geographically distant but similarly warm and hospitable peoples are of great magnitude.
One of the main catalysers in this process is a continuous presence of cultural exchange, where it is difficult not to mention Embassy’s outreach efforts, as well as the Embassy’s cultural troupe Chenderawasih’s contribution in bringing the Malaysian arts and culture closer to wide Serbian public.
Keeping focus on continuity in a post-pandemic world, Malaysia has embodied Cultural Diplomacy as one of the approaches being reinvigorated. And leveraging on the dynamism of the people-to-people connection between Malaysia and the Republic of Serbia as one of the main foundation of the good bilateral relations between these two nations, the Embassy of Malaysia in Belgrade in a great collaboration with Hyatt Regency Belgrade, Turkish Airlines and Tourism Malaysia presents you “To Know Malaysia Is To Love Malaysia” Week which will be held from 18 till 25 September 2022 at Hyatt Regency Belgrade. This program will be featuring arts, culture and culinary presentation of Malaysia as its main elements, in a delightful ambience of Malaysia Truly Asia, a colourful multicultural experience and authentic flavours.
The phrase ‘Malaysian Family’ refers to a society that lives in peace and unity in inclusion, togetherness and gratitude
In addition, there has also been a recent widening of bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and the Republic of Serbia, especially in the areas of education and science & technology, as well as youth and sports, which have inarguably inspired interests to explore various potentials of future cooperation as another bridge connecting the peoples in Malaysia and the Republic of Serbia.
Due to continued tourism promotion efforts this year especially in view of the recent full opening of Malaysia’s borders and major relaxation of measures, the number of Serbian travellers to Malaysia has started to quickly recover even better than the pre-pandemic period. With all the encouragements from both of our Governments’ to ease the travelling between our two countries, I am confident that the exchange of visitors will continue to increase, thus contributing to further improvement of people-to-people relations overall.
In relation thereto, this Malaysia Focus On extensively features many wonders of Malaysia.
I am optimistic and could see the prospects of future enhancement of bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and the Republic of Serbia as bright, with the next few years being particularly conducive period for further development of relations between our two countries overall.
On this note, I wish to once again, extend my congratulations on the occasions of National Day and Malaysia Day 2022 !