LEGAL practitioner Datin Joelyn Teoh Lay Fung has been officially appointed as the honorary consul of the Republic of Chile in Penang.
Teoh, who is also the wife of former Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, was inaugurated at a ceremony held at G Hotel Gurney in George Town.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow represented the Penang government at the ceremony and congratulated Teoh on her appointment.
He expressed confidence that her role would strengthen relations between Chile and Penang.
“I believe there are many potential collaboration opportunities that may mutually benefit both our countries, be it in the fields of commerce, services, investment, or cultural exchanges,” he said during the appointment ceremony this evening.
Chow highlighted the significance of Teoh’s appointment, noting that Chile is the second country in the Group of Latin American Caribbean (GRULAC) countries to establish an honorary consulate in Penang, following Brazil.
“Coincidentally, the honorary consul for Brazil is also a woman. And I am proud to see that Datin Joelyn now joins Penang’s growing number of woman honorary consuls,” Chow added.
In her speech, Teoh expressed gratitude to the Penang government and the government of Chile for their support.
She considered her appointment a great privilege and emphasised her commitment to fostering diplomatic relations and enhancing ties between Chile and Malaysia, particularly in Penang.
“As the honorary consul of Chile in Penang, I shall play a role as a bridge between Penang and Chile, working to build strong bonds across all levels of society, from the people to the leaders, government officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders,” Teoh affirmed.
She acknowledged her responsibility to represent Chile with honour and integrity, aiming to promote its values and culture.
Teoh encouraged Malaysian and Penang investors to explore opportunities in Chile and vice versa.
She expressed her commitment to working with businesses and people from both countries to achieve mutual goals.
Teoh also announced initiatives to enhance collaboration between Chile and Penang in various sectors, including trade, economic, and cultural interactions.
The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Chile to Malaysia Jaime Alexis Munoz Sandoval, Chinese consul-general in Penang Zhou Youbin, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Rajendran Anthony, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, and Chow’s wife Tan Lean Kee.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix and video by Siew Chia En