The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lenora Qereqeretabua, announced Fiji’s plans to reopen its mission in Kuala Lumpur, coinciding with the nation’s 67th National Day and the 61st Malaysia Day celebrations.
Ms. Qereqeretabua emphasized that this move aims to strengthen bilateral relations and boost trade opportunities between Fiji and Malaysia. She confirmed that the High Commission in Kuala Lumpur will be reopening soon, although she did not specify an exact timeline.
“Kuala Lumpur will be our primary focus for trade activities following the reopening,” she stated. She took the opportunity to congratulate the Malaysian government and its people on their national day, recalling the long-standing relationship that began when Fiji extended support to Malaysia during challenging times.
Ms. Qereqeretabua expressed appreciation for the term “Bula Maleya,” used by the Malaysian High Commissioner during his speech, which underscored the depth of their partnership. She described the Fiji-Malaysia relationship as strong and healthy, expressing interest in learning from Malaysia’s developmental accomplishments.
High Commissioner of Malaysia to Fiji, Nor’Azam Mohd Idrus, highlighted the parallels between Malaysia’s “Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka” approach and Fiji’s commitment to unity, patriotism, sustainability, and prosperity. He explained that “Malaysia Madani” is a policy framework introduced by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim that focuses on core values such as sustainability, prosperity, innovation, and compassion, while “Jiwa Merdeka” translates to a patriotic spirit.
Mr. Idrus noted that the ties between Fiji and Malaysia trace back to the 1950s, particularly during the Malayan Emergency, when 1,600 Fijians demonstrated remarkable bravery. Their dedication laid a strong foundation for the enduring bond between the two nations.
He highlighted Malaysia’s openness to global business, including with Fiji, noting that Malaysia consistently ranks among Fiji’s top ten trading partners. This reflects the robustness of their bilateral trade relations. He also acknowledged the contributions of companies with close ties to Malaysia, such as the Carpenters Group, Spirit of Endeavour, and Shangri-La, expressing his support for the ongoing growth of these businesses and welcoming new companies eager to invest in Fiji.