By V. Sivaji
The Canadian High Commissioner in Malaysia, His Excellency Wayne Robson, took time off from his busy schedule to pay a visit to Ipoh, Perak recently.
His inaugural outreach to the state of Perak marked a milestone in fostering closer relations between Canada and Perak.
During his visit, His Excellency engaged in various activities aimed at enhancing cultural, literary, and bilateral ties between the two regions.
The highlight of His Excellency’s visit was his official meeting with the Chief Minister of Perak, YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad. This meeting set the stage for future exchanges and collaborative opportunities beneficial to both Canada and Perak.
In an expression of Canada’s commitment to empowering women in Malaysia, His Excellency supported a writing workshop organized by the High Commission for female residents at the Perak Society for the Promotion of Mental Health.
Conducted by award-winning Canadian author Dr. Lydia Kwa, who came to Malaysia as a guest panelist at the George Town Literary Festival in Penang, the workshop aimed to help participants find their creative voices.
Highlighting Canada’s longstanding ties with Perak, the High Commissioner announced a small contribution to further develop and enhance the orchid garden at the Perak Society, which was created with funding from the Government of Canada back in 1995.
His Excellency also launched the literary exhibition “Transpacific: An Asian-Canadian Literary Journey” at PORT Ipoh. This exhibition was jointly developed by Canadian and Malaysian writers and literary institutes. At the launching ceremony, Dr. Lydia Kwa held an experience-sharing session in which she spoke about her journey as an Asian-Canadian author and how diversity and multiculturalism has influenced her work and the Canadian literary landscape.
Participants from various art, culture, and tourism organizations in Ipoh also shared their experiences and insights during this engaging session.
The one-of-a-kind exhibition is open to the public at PORT Ipoh from November 27 to December 12 as part of the 2023 Ipoh International Art Festival.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the visit, High Commissioner Wayne Robson underscored the importance of nurturing robust ties between Canada and Perak.
He emphasized the significance of cultural exchanges in furthering mutual understanding as well as opportunities for increased bilateral trade driving economic growth in our respective countries. High Commissioner Robson noted Canada’s expertise in responsible mining practices and stringent regulatory environment. He noted how Canada can make a positive contribution to the sustainable development of Perak’s mineral resources through the provision of technical assistance, policy sharing and continued
responsible investment.
“This visit not only reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to fostering strong relations with Malaysia but also highlighted the shared values and interests between Canada and the state of Perak. The High Commission looks forward to continued collaboration and the exploration of new avenues for bilateral cooperation,” he said.
