Makati City- At the Gala Dinner in Celebration of the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Malaysia and the Philippines is the 60th Anniversary of Malaysia Philippines Diplomatic Relations held at the Shangrila Hotel last July 1, 2024 and hosted by non other than His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines.
Then a speech of The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia to be followed by the message of Sec Enrique A. Manalo of Foreign Affairs department of the Philippines.
While dinner commences an angelic voice and very talented singing number from esteemed Madam Nurriha Ahmad, Counsellor and Head of Chancery of the embassy. Mr Mohd Fareed Zakaria, Deputy Head of Mission; Mr Amaluzzaman Mohd Asarani, Minister; Mr Shukri Ahmad, Counsellor; Mrs Hazlina Mohammed Hatta, Counsellor; Ms Nadhirah Mohammad Zanudin, Counsellor;’ Col. Ahmad Jafri Ahmad Zulyadai, Defence Attache; Lt. CDr. Yuzzulaizat Mohamad Yunus, Assistant Defence Attache; SSGT Mohd. Nashreeq Mak Fok,Assistant staff; LK Pap Amirruddin Mustafa ,Admin Staff; Supt. Norazman Hassan Basari, Police Attache; Mrs Intan Zalani, Trade Attache; Mr Adhwa Azmil, Assistant Trade Attache; Mrs Yazlina Azlin Yahya, Tourism Attache;Mrs Rohana Dahalan, Assistant Tourism Attache, Mr Shahrul Anwar Abdul Latif, First Secretary; Mr Ahmad Salman Mansor, Second Secretary; Mr M. Azmi Jemain, Third Secretary; Mrs Ernie Zuraida Abdul, Office Secretary; Mr Mohd Khan Mohd Jadi, Office Secretary;
The commemoration was also graced by the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management Amenah F. Pangandaman and she has congratulated Ambassador Castelino for bringing together friends of Malaysia and the Philippines “who share the dream of achieving the ASEAN community’s potential, especially in sustainable development and innovation, strengthening our Halal industry with the support of Malaysia.”
Among the diplomatic corps and officials present were Japan Ambassador Endo Kasuya, Indonesian Ambassador Agus Widjojo, Thailand Ambassador Tull Traisorat, Indonesian Counsellor Avi Harahap, Brunei Darussalam First Secretary Fadzllyani”Ani” Annuar, Secretary of Trade and Industry Alfredo E. Pascual, Secretary Atty Ernesto V. Perez CPA the ARTA Director General, Presidential Adviser on Muslim Affairs Almarim C Tillah, Senators Richard Gordon, Cynthia Villar and JV Ejercito, with Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Abubakar, DBM Undersecretary Margaux Salcedo , DTI Halal Industry Development Office Program Manager Aleem Guiapal, Bash Ampuan, Happee Macadaya, Raison Arobinto, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Secretary Sheikh Sabuddin N Abdurahim, Undersecretary of Information Communications Technology David Almirol Jr. Philhealth Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Atty Eli Dino Santos, Gafur Arami Kanain-Liason BARMM/ Commissioner, Makati Mayor Abby Binay and Makati City Head of International Relation Ms Ichi Yabut.
From the Business Sectors: Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industries Philippines (MCCI) Chairman Edward Ling, Deputy Chairman Stephen Khaw, President How Han Hui, Vice President Azhar Mahmood, Raj Ramasamy, Businessman Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corporation, Chairman Hans Sy of SM Prime, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Inc (FFCCIII) President Cecilio Pedro and FFCCIII Executive Director Dr. Lily Lim, Chairman Philippine Chamber of and Industry George Barcelon, Old Town Cafe CEO Nelson del Mundo and COO Matthew Joseph Ablis.
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OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF MALAYSIA TO THE PHILIPPINES
Upon the invitation of His Excellency Enrique A. Manalo, Foreign Affairs Secretary of the Republic of the Philippines, The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Haji Hasan embarked on an official visit to the Philippines on 1 July 2024.
While in the Philippines, the Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at Malacañang Palace. During the meeting, President Marcos and the Foreign Minister affirmed their commitments to strengthen Malaysia-Philippine relations. They also discussed regional-related matters. The Foreign Minister also had a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Secretary Manalo, at Peninsula Hotel where they affirmed the strength of their countries’ bilateral relations and discussed ways to further deepen cooperation between Malaysia and the Philippines including in the areas of trade and investment, halal industry, food security, connectivity as well as the socio-economic development on Mindanao.
During both the courtesy call and bilateral meeting, Foreign Minister reaffirmed that as ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia will place great importance on ASEAN Centrality for the benefit of the region as a whole. The Foreign Minister also highlighted the need for greater cooperation among ASEAN Member States, including in economic cooperation.
The year 2024 is significant for Malaysia and the Philippines as it is the 60th year of the two countries’ bilateral relations. To commemorate this milestone, a gala dinner was hosted with the presence of the Foreign Minister as the Guest of Honour. In his remarks, the Foreign Minister stressed that the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Malaysia-Philippine diplomatic relations is not just about looking back at achievements, but also about renewing their commitment to a shared future. The Foreign Minister invited the Philippines to continue to work hand in hand to promote peace, prosperity, and stability in the region.
