OKTOBERFEST LAUNCHING
OPENING SPEECH BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE TUAN CHOW KON YEOW
CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
OKTOBERFEST
MALAYSIAN-GERMAN SOCIETY
21 OCTOBER 2022, 8.45 P.M.
H.E. Dr. Peter Blomeyer
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Malaysia
Dato’ Hans Brenner
Honorary Consul of Germany in Penang
Dr. Wolfgang Mark
President of the Malaysian-German Society
Members of the Malaysian-German Society
Members of the media
Ladies & gentlemen
Dear fellow Malaysians and German friends,
I am delighted to be present this evening for an Oktoberfest celebration with all of you. While recent political developments will see Malaysia gearing towards its 15th General Elections, I could recall attending the 2018 Oktoberfest in my first few months as the 5th Chief Minister of Penang. Without sounding too presumptuous and without giving any hint on when Penang will dissolve its State Assembly, I hope the merriment of this year’s Oktoberfest will be one of many positive signs in heralding a new term for the Pakatan Harapan-led administration of Penang.
Politics aside, I would like to take this opportunity to pause and reflect on how Covid-19 has been a gamechanger in everyone’s lives. Though the magnitude of this unexpected storm may have been different for each of us, no one was left unscathed. While lives were lost and livelihoods were affected, I am grateful that we have weathered the past challenging two years, together.
In acknowledging our blessings and appreciating the simple things that truly count, I am happy that the Malaysian-German Society in Penang has always been supportive in maintaining the warm friendship and cultural links between our two countries through events like Oktoberfest. I would also like to congratulate the German community in Penang and worldwide for having recently celebrated the Day of German Unity. While I was unable to attend the celebration in Penang, I believe the German reunification was and will always be an important milestone in the world history.
Thank you to the organizing committee and all parties involved for the hard work in ensuring that Oktoberfest remains as an annual highlight.
Wishing everyone a great and fun-filled evening ahead.