THE MALAYSIAN-GERMAN SOCIETY’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY & MAIBALL
ADDRESS BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MR CHOW KON YEOW
CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
THE MALAYSIAN-GERMAN SOCIETY’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY & MAIBALL
14 MAY 2022, EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL, 6.45 P.M.
YB Lim Guan Eng, former Chief Minister of Penang
YB Jagdeep Singh Deo, Penang State Executive Councillor for Housing, Local Government and Town & Country Planning
H.E. Dr. Peter Blomeyer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Malaysia
Dr. Wolfgang Mark, President of the Malaysian-German Society
The Management and members of the Malaysian-German Society
Distinguished guests
Members of Media
Ladies & gentlemen
A very good evening to all.
This evening’s celebration is, if I must say it, solid proof that good things come in threes. Not only are we here to celebrate the Malaysian-German Society’s 60th anniversary and the return of the MaiBall which was last held in 2019, but also Malaysia’s cautious transition into the endemic phase of Covid-19 since 1st of May 2022. So while we enjoy the evening’s festivities with friends in our fineries, the face mask is still a much-needed accessory for everyone’s wellbeing.
MGS has been part and parcel of Penang’s communal and social tapestry since 1962, and a familiar presence along the Ayer Itam Road since 1981. I am delighted that MGS has always been supportive in maintaining the warm friendship and cultural links between our two countries. While Covid-19 has adversely disrupted our lives and literally halted all social gatherings for the past two years, I wish to acknowledge MGS’ unstoppable commitment and under the leadership of Dr. Wolfgang Mark, your team’s hard work in making this evening possible. The fact that MGS has been continuously organizing events in Penang for decades with great success is not only a celebration of German culture but also a reflection of brotherhood, family and togetherness.
With a growing community of German expatriates living in Penang and the continuous growth of German companies in the State, MGS plays a pivotal role in bridging and enabling inter-cultural exchanges between the Germans and Malaysians. Conditions permitting, I am sure the 2022 Oktoberfest will also be a much-anticipated event.
My heartiest congratulations to MGS on your 60th anniversary and to many, many more milestones. Wishing everyone a great and fun-filled evening. Thank you.