DILI, 03 september 2024 (TATOLI) – Timorese President José Ramos Horta graced a reception in conjunction with Malaysia’s 67th National Day and Malaysia Day held at the Timor Lodge Hotel and Residences.
The event hosted by Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Amarjit Sarjit Singh and spouse Datin Param Git Kaur Pauja Singh was attended by some 300 guests comprising Timorese Ministers, Vice Ministers, and Secretaries of State, senior government officials, academia representatives, and the private sector; the diplomatic corps, Malaysian diaspora, and Friends of Malaysia, which included alumnus of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) and alumnus of Malaysian universities.
Also in attendance were Timorese Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for the Economy, and Minister for Tourism and Environment Francisco Kalbuady Lay; Timorese Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing Mariano Assanami Sabino; Minister of Social and Solidarity Verónica das Dores; and Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs Milena Rangel and several other vice ministers and secretary of states.
Following remarks by the Malaysian Ambassador and Timorese President, attendees were treated to a wide range of Malaysian culinary delights. Malaysia’s National Day, which is commonly referred to as Merdeka Day, falls on 31 August, while Malaysia Day falls on 16 September, and is celebrated as a national event.
This year’s theme is a Civil Malaysia for a Free Soul (Malaysia Madani; Jiwa Merdeka).
On this occasion, the President of the Republic Jose Ramos-Horta highlighted that Malaysia had supported Timor-Leste’s sustainable economic development since Timor-Leste got its independence 24 years ago, where Malaysia was the first country to send the Peacekeeping Force (PKF) to support Timor-Leste’s nation-building at that time.
President Horta also said Timor-Leste and Malaysia had enhanced bilateral cooperation in various sectors such as education, capacity building, health, defense, and security, including several other important sectors.
“Therefore, on behalf of Timor-Leste, I thanked Malaysia’s support in the various sectors, which during this time Malaysia has supported us in ensuring sustainable development in Timor-Leste,” Horta concluded.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
