Fiesta Malaysia Cum Penang Festival In Australia

By NEVILLE D'CRUZ MELBOURNE, March 24 (Bernama) – A three-day Fiesta Malaysia cum Penang Festival held in the inner suburb of Carlton, here attracted huge crowds who were amazed with the rich and colourful Malaysian multicultural diversity. Penang Tourism played a major role by providing cultural dancers from the island and three well-known hawkers who dished out large amounts of Malaysian food to the delight of the huge crowds. The annual event ,which began in 2006, is organised by Malaysian Students Council of Australia (MASCA), Victoria and supported by Tourism Malaysia, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Ministry of Higher Education and the Australian Government. In his welcome speech, the Malaysian Consul General Dr Mohd Rameez Yahaya said Malaysia was blessed to have a rich, colourful, multicultural diversity which was developed over many centuries because of the country’s strategic geographical location in the middle of ancient trade routes. "To me, Malaysia’s rich multicultural diversity is in itself a unique culture," Mohd Rameez said. "Our people have developed a unique sense of cheerful communication which can be identified no matter where we are. "We, Malaysians are also very adaptable, respectful and tolerant of different beliefs and faith due to years of living together in harmony and peace." he added. The Chief Minister of Penang Lim Guan Eng and his entourage including Executive Councillor for Tourism Development and Culture, Danny Law Heng Kiang and General Manager of investPenang Loo Lee Lian and Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Susan Riley were among dignitaries present. Penang, often known as pearl of the orient, is located in the northern part of Malaysia. -- BERNAMA