THE APPOINTMENT OF THE HONORARY CONSUL GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI
Speech by YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang
On the Appointment Of The Honorary Consul General Of
the Republic Of Fiji in George Town, Penang
10 October 2020, The Light Hotel
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His Excellency Mr Pita Tagicakirewa,
Acting High Commissioner of the Republic of Fiji to Malaysia
YBhg Datuk Cha Hoo Peng,
Honorary Consul General of Fiji in Penang
The Honourable Dato’ Law Choo Kiang,
Penang State Assembly Speaker
His Excellency Mr. Kanoya Shinichiro,
Consul-General of Japan in Penang
His Excellency Bapak Bambang Suharto,
Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Penang
Members of the Consular Corp in Penang
Distinguished Guests,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and gentlemen
Good evening.
In October 2019, I had the privilege of receiving Fiji’s Prime Minister, The Honourable Frank Bainimarama, here in Penang where he attended the 7th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum. He has ties with Malaysia, having undergone military training at our own Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College in 1991. And tonight, that tie is further strengthened with the celebration of Fiji’s 50th anniversary of independence and the appointment of Datuk Cha Hoo Peng as Fiji’s Honorary Consul General in Penang.
Datuk Cha, I wish to congratulate you on this appointment and am confident that your role will boost stronger relations between Fiji and Penang. As a Penangite that has established business relationship with Fiji since 15 years ago, you are in the best position of knowing Fiji’s strengths as the hub of the Pacific, as well as Penang’s charms as the Pearl of the Orient. Together, there is much to gain from this friendship. The State Government is ever supportive of the growing number of consular representations in Penang, and we certainly welcome more exposure for Penang in Fiji and her regional neighbours.
As we brace for surges of new Covid-19 infections in Malaysia and everywhere else, the ongoing situation presents a new reality check for all of us. Adaptability to new norms and adherence to measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing are necessary for our collective efforts in flattening the curve. Penang has seen new active cases in the past week, and the State is taking cautionary steps to prevent and mitigate possible outbreaks.
Even in these trying times, Penang continues to thrive. Having recorded an investment inflow of of RM2.02 billion in manufacturing for the second quarter of 2020, this brings Penang’s total approved manufacturing investment for the first half of 2020 to RM9.12 billion. As for foreign direct investments, Penang has once again exemplified its leading role as the top manufacturing FDI contributor, bringing in 47% of the nation’s manufacturing FDI for the period of January-June 2020. Foreign direct investments (FDI) in Penang for the second quarter of 2020 accounted for RM1.65 billion, while the total FDI inflows for the first half of 2020 stands at RM8.42 billion.
Despite the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the imposition of Movement Control Order (MCO) by the Federal Government throughout the period, investors remain confident in Penang. I believe that Penang’s sustainable environment, vigorous industrial ecosystem and supportive infrastructure are among the State’s appealing aspects that continue to attract them.
Yet, there is more to Penang than businesses and industries. Penang is also home to our foreigner friends, and I am happy to note that a few Fijians have now settled in Penang under Malaysia’s My Second Home Programme. I look forward to stronger relations between our nations, and I offer my congratulations to the Republic of Fiji on your nation’s 50th anniversary of independence.
Thank you.