Malaysia Week to go to China

LONDON: Malaysia Week 2012, an event to showcase the country's vibrant culture and traditions, may spread its wings to destinations in the Middle East and China.


Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the event, which kicked off here on Saturday, would be expanded to other locations. Dr Rais said Malaysia Week, which was being held in London for the fourth time, had not only received tremendous support and response from Britons but tourists visiting London.

“We hope to take Malaysia Week to another level by organising similar events in Europe, Middle East countries and China,” he said after launching the event.

Malaysia Week was last organised in London between 2006 and 2008 and in Washington, United States, in 2010. “After organising five Malaysia Week events, we are able to identify the main factors that attract visitors, so we must continue with such efforts,” said Dr Rais.

The five-day celebration, which was held at South Bank, close to the Thames River, has become a major attraction among tourists in London. Malaysia's enchantment, said the minister, could be experienced through its multi-ethnic and diverse culture, which had become a major asset in promoting the country.

He said even Althea Smith, the mayor of Southwark, a borough in London, had acknowledged that Malaysia's enchantment and strength lie in its composition of different races, ethnic groups, religions, culture and food. Smith said the Malaysia Week event was “about diversity and the need for people to work together as one community”.

Famed Malaysian shoe designer Datuk Dr Jimmy Choo said he hoped that Malaysia Week would continue to be organised here since it allowed visitors to enjoy what the country had to offer in terms of culture, food, fashion and other attractions.
-Bernama.