Bestowment Ceremony of the Order of Rio Branco to the Honorary Consul of Brazil in Penang
Speech by YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow
Chief Minister of Penang
Bestowment Ceremony of the Order of Rio Branco to the Honorary Consul of Brazil in Penang
22 March 2022, St. Giles Hotel
H.E. Mr. Ary Norton de Murat Quintella
Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia
YBhg Dato’ Annie Chin Lye Kheng
Honorary Consul of Brazil in Penang
YB Datuk Haji Abdul Halim Hussain
YB Yeoh Soon Hin
YB Zairil Khir Johari
Penang State Executive Council members
H.E. Mr. Orikasa Hiroyuki, Consul-General of Japan in Penang,
H.E. Bapak Bambang Suharto, Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Penang,
Members of the Honorary Consular Corp in Penang
Distinguished Guests,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Good evening to all of you.
I am delighted to be here this evening to witness the bestowment ceremony of the Brazilian Government’s Order of Rio Branco on our own Dato’ Annie Chin, the Honorary Consul of Brazil in Penang. Congratulations!
Dato’ Annie Chin joins a group of select Malaysians whose commendable contributions in promoting international diplomacy between Brazil and Malaysia, particularly Penang, have earned them the esteemed Order of Rio Branco. This award is also a testament of the strengthening ties between Penang and Brazil, which adds a further dimension to our already shared love for food, cultural traditions and of course, football.
As you all may know, Penang’s growing community of foreign representatives now stands at 23. I’m also happy to note that the Honorary Consulate in Penang is Brazil’s first in Malaysia, as well as Dato’ Annie being Penang’s first female Honorary Consul. With these distinctions in mind, I believe Dato’ Annie will do her very best in enhancing co-operation between our two countries, especially in fields of cultural engagement, industry and other areas of mutual interest.
Your Excellency, I take this opportunity to extend our warmest welcome to your fellow Brazilians to visit Penang once the international borders reopen. With the durian season coming soon, I hope this will be yet another reason for your return visit to Penang.
Thank you.