The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lenora Qereqeretabua, has revealed Fiji’s intention to reopen its mission in Kuala Lumpur, coinciding with the celebration of the nation’s 67th National Day and the 61st Malaysia Day.
Qereqeretabua emphasized that this move aims to bolster bilateral relations and improve trade opportunities between Fiji and Malaysia. She confirmed, “Our High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is re-opening soon.” However, she did not disclose a specific timeline for the reopening, stating that Kuala Lumpur will serve as the main hub for future trade activities.
Expressing her congratulations to Malaysia on its national day, Qereqeretabua acknowledged the longstanding relationship, which dates back decades when Fiji offered assistance to Malaysia during challenging times. She also highlighted the phrase “Bula Maleya,” used by the Malaysian High Commissioner, noting it reflected their enduring partnership.
The Malaysian High Commissioner to Fiji, Nor’Azam Mohd Idrus, pointed out the alignment between Malaysia’s national framework, Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka and Fiji’s emphasis on unity, patriotism, sustainability, and prosperity. He explained that the Malaysia Madani concept, introduced by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, promotes values such as sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust, care, and compassion, with Jiwa Merdeka meaning patriotic spirit.
Idrus further discussed the historical ties between Fiji and Malaysia, dating back to the 1950s during the Malayan Emergency when 1,600 Fijians exhibited extraordinary bravery. He noted that these contributions laid the foundational ties that solidified the relationship between the two nations.
He highlighted Malaysia’s commitment to open trade, expressing pride in doing business worldwide, including with Fiji. Idrus mentioned that Malaysia is consistently one of Fiji’s top ten trading partners, which indicates the strength of their bilateral trade relations. He also acknowledged the significant contributions of Malaysian companies in Fiji, such as the Carpenters Group, Spirit of Endeavour, and Shangri-La, and expressed full support for the growth of these firms while welcoming new businesses looking to establish a presence in Fiji.