By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Feb 22: The Malaysian Ambassador to Brazil, Gloria Corina Tiwet, and the Malaysian Ambassador to the Holy See, Hendy Assan, have made it their priority to strengthen bilateral ties between Malaysia and their respective host countries in order to increase trade and agricultural cooperation, and to foster interfaith dialogue.
According to Gloria, she will look at bilateral relations between Malaysia and Brazil, with a particular focus on trade and agricultural cooperation.
“There’s a lot of potential, especially in agriculture. (And) what’s important now is to increase trade between our countries, because our government is looking into trade cooperation and bilateral relations,” she told reporters during a courtesy call today with Hendy on Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah at Bangunan Baitulmakmur 2 here.
Meanwhile, Hendy noted that his role would differ from that of other ambassadors to other countries because the Holy See is under the jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome.
“We don’t have trade and investment (there). But, basically what we are doing is to promote interfaith dialogue among the different faiths in the world.
“We also try to share our experience as a progressive Muslim country because they look highly on Malaysia,” he said.
Furthermore, Hendy highlighted that he would look into the welfare of Malaysians living or studying in Vatican City, as well as promote social, cultural, and educational cooperation.
Gloria and Hendy, both Sarawakians, are among the 10 new Malaysian heads-of-mission who received their appointment letters from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on February 9.
Hendy was the previous Malaysian Ambassador to Uzbekistan, and Gloria was the previous High Commissioner of Malaysia in Nigeria.
In addition, Fatimah hoped that the two Malaysian Ambassadors would promote the unity of the people of Sarawak in Brazil and the Holy See. — DayakDaily
