Malaysia | Diamond Jubilee

Embassy Network | 30th November 2017

The Malaysian High Commissioner Dato Ahmad Rasidi Bin Hazizi gives a rousing poetry reading

The Ambassador of Laos Mr Sayakane Sisouvong, Former UK Ambassador to Laos and Deputy Head of SE Asia at the Foreign Office Mr Philip Malone and the Ambassador of Thailand Mr Pisanu Suvanajata

Deputy Chief of Mission of the Philippines Embassy Senen Mangalile and the Ambassador of the Philippines Mr Antonio Lagdameo

Commonwealth compatriots: The High Commissioners for Zambia Mr Muyeba Chikonde and Mozambique Mr Filipe Chidumo

The High Commissioner for Pakistan Mr Syed Ibne Abbas and Mrs Saddaf Abbas

Guests of honour the Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Scotland, Foreign Minister Mark Field MP and the IMO Secretary General join the High Commissioner for Malaysia for the ceremonial cake cutting

Foreign Minister Mark Field MP(centre) with the High Commissioner for Singapore Chi Hsia Foo, Malaysian High Commissioner Dato Ahmad Rasidi Bin Hazizi, the High Commissioner for Brunei Maj Gen (Rtd) Dato Haji Aminuddin Ihsan and the Ambassador of Thailand Mr Pisanu Suvanajata

The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and the Deputy Head of Protocol (Foreign Office) Francesca Flessati

Nik Eylia Sofia Abd Aziz welcomes guests

Guest of Honour Foreign Office Minister Mark Field MP

Diamond Jubilee
Celebrating Malaysia’s Diamond Jubilee, High Commissioner Dato Ahmad Rasidi Bin Hazizi reflected on how his country had developed from humble beginnings into a modern economy. “It’s a record to be proud of,” he said. Commenting on Malaysia’s evercloser partnership with the UK as it enters a post-Brexit future, the High Commissioner said: “We are confident the UK will be more engaged globally especially in the Southeast Asian region.”

Echoing these sentiments, Mark Field MP, Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, remarked on a “broad-ranging relationship” between the UK and Malaysia in trade, investment, education and defence as well as close cooperation in Commonwealth.

The formalities ended with a rousing poetry reading by the High Commissioner, ceremonial cake cutting after which guests enjoyed a lavish Malaysian banquet.

PHOTOS: PIERRE DE VILLIERS