Foreigners Get A Feel Of Malaysia In Washington

By Nani Rahayu Yusof WASHINGTON DC, May 14 (Bernama) -- The Passport DC 'Around the World Embassy Tour' programme involving foreign missions in Washington D.C on May 3 found Malaysia being the centre of attraction. This is particularly so as Malaysia has been in the limelight in the US of late, firstly the event came at the heels of US President Barack Obama's visit to Kuala Lumpur in April and secondly the Malaysia Airlines missing flight MH370 that captured the world's attention. The one day programme that was organised by the Cultural Tourism of District Columbia (DTDC), around the International Court area where many of the foreign missions are located at the US capital, witnessed street festivals, performances and exhibitions. The programme is to enable the locals to get to know the international community, especially from the heritage, food and cultural viewpoint. Acting Charge D’Affaires of the embassy Ikram Mohamad Ibrahim said the visit of the president, has opened the avenues for Americans to get to know better of Malaysia. This is the second time the embassy hosted the programme organised by DTDC and the crowds were certainly bigger this time around. The Women's Association of Malaysians Missions (Perwakilan) also lent a helping hand. VISITORS IMPRESSED "The visitors really enjoyed the feel of Malaysia. They took part in cultural events like the Magunatip dance, the traditional dance of the Muruts in Sabah, the kompang beats by a group of Malaysian undergraduates, and the folk songs rendered by the embassy staff. "Many tried their hands in the traditional games like congkak, batu seremban and sepak takraw as well," said Ikram to Bernama when met at the programme. The visitors too took the opportunity to get the latest information on tourism, investment, trade and education opportunities and the Malaysian made products from the officials of various Malaysian agencies. Among the departments and agencies that participated in the programe include Tourism Malaysia and Malaysian Palm Oil Board. He said the main hall of the embassy that was embellished with Malaysian crafts, teak wood items, pewter and silk was crowded since the door was opened to the public. Early birds even received unique door gifts, the bunga telur (decorated hard boiled eggs). A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE Apart from that, visitors too had the opportunity to don the traditional Chinese, Malay and Sabahan attire and have their photograph taken with the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC) backdrop. The costumes were made available by Tourism Malaysia based in New York. Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia's Vice President for East America, Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali noted that; "This is the second time we are participating, and for this year, we conducted some activities to captivate the audience and opened an information counter". After watching many of the presentation, visitors has a taste of Malaysian delights prepared by Perwakilan members, embassy staff and the Malaysian restaurants sold at reasonable prices at the stalls. The beautifully embellished stalls sold Nasi Lemak, Nasi Kerabu, Roti Chanai, Satay (Malaysian dishes), Goreng Pisang (Fried Banana), Ais Kacang (popular dessert), Teh Tarik (hand-pulled tea) and traditional kuih (cake). WHAT THE FOREIGNERS HAD TO SAY Meanwhile, a husband and wife team Dan and Jean Jazuzzi from California, who were visiting their daughter who lives around the district were elated to see the “kompang” performance by Malaysian students. "It’s our first time to watch something traditional from Malaysia, and it is so much fun, we heard so much about Malaysia and the culture", said Jean. Andrew dressed in Baju Melayu, while Veronica in Chinese costume and their son Lukas Akola, in the Sabahan garb were seen taking a lot of photos with the KLCC backdrop. Andrew said Veronica, who hailed from Russia, would be visiting Malaysia soon and that is the reason why they visited the embassy on that day. "We wanted to know more about the people, culture and food before heading to the country. I will not be joining my wife this time as I will be deployed to Pakistan for a year starting next month but hope to get the opportunity to visit beautiful Malaysia one day", he added. ================================================================================ SIDEBAR Also present at the event was the Second Education Minister Idris Jusoh who was in the capital by co-incidence, after attending the 'Going Global' conference in Miami, Florida. During the programme he took the opportunity to meet up with a group of Malaysian students from the higher institutions of learning from East US and replied to many of the questions relating to the nation's education system. Apart from that, Idris too took the opportunity to visit the information counters, stalls and took part in some of the events and mingled with the guest and embassy staff. Meanwhile, when asked about the conference in Miami, Idris said global experts from 70 countries have gathered at Miami Beach Convention Centre to strategise about a broad range of issues that have an impact on the future of international higher education. The three-day annual conference, titled “Inclusion, Innovation, and Impact,” was sponsored by the British Council, an international organisation that promotes educational opportunities and cross-cultural relations around the world. -- BERNAMA