A VERY warm and cordial relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia was evident in the 74th anniversary of the Independence Day reception dinner hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia at Eastern and Oriental Hotel tonight.
Consul-general of Indonesia in Penang Iwanshah Wibisono played a gracious host to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was accompanied by his wife Tan Lean Kee, and approximately 350 guests.
Among the distinguished guests were state executive councillors Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain and Zairil Khir Johari, consul-general of Japan in Penang Shinichiro Kanoya and consul-general of Thailand in Penang Raschada Jiwalai.
Indonesia gained their independence from the Netherlands on Aug 17, 1945.
In a ceremonial toast, Chow invited the guests present to join him in wishing His Excellency Joko Widodo, the president of the Republic of Indonesia, good health and well-being and also the success and prosperity to the government and Indonesian people.
As a reciprocal gesture, Wibisono also invited the guests to join him in making a toast to the good health and well-being of the Yang diPertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and also the success and prosperity to the government and people of Malaysia.
“This event is to mark the Indonesian 74th Independence Day and also the 62 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Malaysia,” he said.
“This spirit of friendship will be further enhanced.
“We’re also grateful that we have had independence and since then we can have better options to set the course of our future.
“We have so far managed to accommodate the aspirations of 260 million population living in more than 17,000 of our islands, speaking more than 300 languages, around 600 ethnic groups and various religions and living harmoniously.”
At the start of this year’s reception, the Consulate General of Indonesia presented a traditional dance from West Sumatra, called Tari Piring.
The three dancers showed great skills as they balanced and moved the ceramic plates swiftly without dropping or breaking the plates.
On top of that, the Consulate General optimised the dinner to also promote Indonesian tourism and culture.
A video presentation of 10 tourist destinations known as ‘Bali Baru’ was featured at the dinner.
Indonesian specialities such as sate, nasi goreng, pempek, sosis solo and lupis were served. Also available was the Indonesian original coffee of Mandailing from Si Tigun.
The guests were also serenaded by an Indonesian band, the Split Fire Band, which also performs nightly at Hard Rock Cafe Penang.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Nur Afiqah Zainudi
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhamad