By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 17: Two Sarawakians, Hendy Assan and Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet, were re-appointed as Malaysian ambassadors for the second time.
Both of them were among 10 new heads of diplomatic missions of Malaysia that received letters of credence from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri-ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Feb 9.
This time around, Hendy who was the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of Uzbekistan since 2018, has been assigned to represent Malaysia to the Holy See.
He had also served as Consul General of Malaysia in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China (2010-2014), and had assignments at diplomatic missions of Malaysia in Tokyo, Japan; Rome, Italy as well as and Dakar, Senegal.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was appointed as Undersecretary of East Asia Division and Undersecretary of International Cooperation and Development Division. He also had roles at CLMV and Oceania Division, Americas Division and ASEAN Division.
Meanwhile, Gloria who was the High Commissioner of Malaysia to the Federal Republic of Nigeria since 2018, is tasked to head the diplomatic mission to the Federative Republic of Brazil.
She also served at other diplomatic missions of Malaysia in Stockholm, Sweden; Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she used to serve as Director of Sarawak Regional Office and Director of ASEAN 2015 Logistics Main Secretariat. In addition, she assumed several roles at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), Development Division, Multilateral Economic and Environmental Division, and Information Division.
Both Henry and Gloria paid a courtesy call to Malaysian Minister of Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi at his office in Putrajaya here today.
“I am proud that both Sarawakians are now leading the country on foreign land and I am sure, given the vast experience they have under their belts, H.E (Her Excellency) Gloria Corina and H.E (His Excellency) Hendy will be able to assist Malaysia in various spectrums of achievement on the international level,” he said in a Facebook post.
The two ambassadors also paid a courtesy call to Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Seri Tiong King Sing. Also joining the delegation was High Commissioner of Malaysia to Republic of Kenya, Ruzaimi Mohamad.
“As a Sarawakian, of course I am proud to see TYT (Tuan Yang Terutama) Hendy and PYT (Puan Yang Terutama) Gloria who are also Sarawakians of Bidayuh descent being trusted to carry the trust for the sake of the country.
“In this meeting we discussed a lot of things that can benefit the people and Malaysia. In addition, MOTAC is one of the important ministries that need support from Malaysian representatives abroad,” he said.
For the record, Gloria is the first Sarawakian woman from the Dayak ethnic group to be appointed as a Malaysian High Commissioner.
Both Hendy and Gloria were among three Bidayuh who have ever been appointed as an ambassador.
The first ever Bidayuh ambassador was John Tenewe Nuek who has retired. His last mission was to Venezuela.
Other notable Sarawakians who were appointed as diplomats included Malaysian Ambassador to Peru, Fenny Nuli who is the first Iban woman to do so; Ambassador to the Holy See Westmoreland Edward Palon; former High Commissioner to Tokyo, Japan, Dato Kennedy Jawan and former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Datuk Mohamad Sadik Kethergany. — DayakDaily
