RECEPTION ON THE OCCASION OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA’S 77TH INDEPENDENCE DAY
SPEECH BY YAB CHOW KON YEOW
CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
RECEPTION ON THE OCCASION OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA’S 77TH INDEPENDENCE DAY
2 SEPTEMBER 2022
H.E. Bapak Bambang Suharto, Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Penang and Ibu Berti Suharto,
The Honourable Members of the State Executive Council and State Assembly of Penang,
H.E. Mr. Orikasa Hiroyuki, Consul-General of Japan in Penang,
H.E. Mr. Raschada Jiwalai, Consul-General of the Kingdom of Thailand in Penang,
Members of the Consular Corps in Penang,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Good evening. It is my pleasure to be here with His Excellency Bapak Bambang and friends from the Indonesian Consulate General in Penang to celebrate the joyous occasion of the Republic of Indonesia’s 77th Independence Day.
As we look forward to an evening of celebration, I can’t help but notice that the venue is different from previous years’ receptions. Perhaps this is a fated coincidence as we will also remember 2022 being the first time Indonesia held an independence celebration in the Republic’s future capital city of Nusantara.
Here in Penang, 2022 similarly represents a new chapter in our continuing industrial journey. We developed Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone in 1972 by laying the building blocks of the State’s modern economy for future generations, and after 50 years of manufacturing excellence, we now turn our focus on many more milestones to come.
On that note, I would like to thank Bapak Bambang and the KJRI officers for their continuous efforts in assisting the Indonesian community in Penang, especially during the challenging times we faced during the past 2 years. I am confident that given Indonesia’s long standing warm relations with Penang, we can look to more opportunities for continuous mutual progress in various fields of interest.
To our Indonesian friends in Penang and everywhere, “Selamat Hari Ulang Tahun ke-77, Dirgahayu Republik Indonesia”.
Thank you.
TOAST
May I now invite all of you to join me in a toast for the good health and well-being of His Excellency Ir. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, and the success and prosperity of the Government and the People of the Republic of Indonesia.
[National Anthem – “Indonesia Raya” to be played]
His Excellency President Joko Widodo
[Toast]