Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh. On this day 52 years ago, Malaysia gained independence. Today, in commemorating this historic occasion, it gives me immense pleasure to join all Malaysians in sharing our joy and happiness with our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Malaysia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoy a longstanding, warm and fruitful bilateral relation, extending from historical and religious ties to numerous fields of cooperation including in economic, trade and investment. It was further strengthened by regular exchanges of visits between the leaders and peoples of our two countries. Many Malaysians and Saudis consider our respective countries as their second country. Today, Malaysians come to Saudi Arabia not only to perform Umrah and Ziarah. Many are here to trade and do business, as well as to offer professional expertise and services and contributed to the development of this thriving Kingdom. Likewise, 70,000 to 80,000 Saudis visit Malaysia every year not only for tourism and business but many have made Malaysia their second home.
In July 2009, barely 100 days after the Honorable Dato Sri Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak took office as the sixth prime minister of Malaysia, he visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to meet Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and renewed commitments to further enhance relations and brotherhood of the Ummah. The honorable prime minister expressed Malaysia’s gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the hospitality and enormous efforts extended by Saudi authorities to enable Malaysians perform the Haj and Umrah every year. On the suggestion of King Abdullah, the honorable prime minister of Malaysia visited the holy sites in Makkah and Mina and was impressed by the developments implemented by Saudi authorities to provide safe and modern facilities for a smooth and successful pilgrimage for all Muslims.
On this auspicious occasion, I would also like to take the opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude and highest appreciation to King Abdullah, the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the warm hospitality and support extended to the Consulate General of Malaysia in Jeddah, which has enabled us to perform our duties successfully in this beautiful city of Jeddah and throughout the Western region of the Kingdom.
We pray to Allah Subhanaho Wa Taala for the warm and brotherly relations between Malaysia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to continue to flourish for the mutual benefit of our two countries.
May I also wish my fellow Malaysians in the Western region a “Happy Merdeka Day” and “Ramadan Mubarak.”
It is indeed a great honor for us Malaysians to be in the holy land during this blessed month. Let us all take heed of the advice of our beloved prime minister for all of us to strengthen unity as “1 Malaysia” and to enhance our performance to uphold Malaysia’s good will and friendship in this brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“People First, Performance Now.”
Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Hidayat Abdul Hamid
Consul General
Malaysia