Diplomacy at play on Malaysia's National Day

The 65th National Day of Malaysia this year was celebrated in a special way at the Malaysian embassy in Moscow.

Firstly, the celebration was attended by the famous Malaysian director U-Wei Saari, who was invited to the Russian capital for the Moscow International Film Festival as chairman of the jury for the documentary film competition.

For the embassy's staff and their families, it was a great chance to get to know the director and learn about his life and work, and plans for the future.

Secondly, the presentation of the book Senandika Cinta & Korona di Rusia by Ahmad Ashraff Haiqal Ahmad Zakki also took place during the celebration.

Ahmad Ashraff is a Malaysian student studying medicine at one of the institutes in Volgograd. He was born on Dec 2, 2001 in Kelantan but grew up in Kuala Lumpur.

Previously, he studied at the Merbok Mara Junior Science College, where he developed an interest in medicine. Having brilliantly passed the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, he went to Volgograd to continue his studies in his chosen specialty.

While studying medicine, he tried his best to know Russia, its people and culture.

This is a wonderful thing because Russia is famous for its theatres, museums, architecture and traditions. You can read about them in his book, published in Kuala Lumpur last year.

His book is something like a diary of his life in Volgograd and the tales of his travels to Moscow and other Russian cities.

These are the sections of the book: "All About Russia", "Four Seasons in Russia", "Survival Skill in Russia", "Don't Get Lost in Russia", "What is Beautiful, Interesting and Unpleasant in Russia" and "How is it to Study Medicine in Russia".

The 213-page book is written in Malay with fascinating details.

He probably inherited his talent as a writer from his mother, Azlinariah Abdullah, a journalist for Astro Awani and who also came to Moscow for the presentation of her son's book.

On the eve of the National Day celebration at the embassy, they visited the Russian State Library's Centre for Oriental Literature, where they handed over copies of the book to the director of the centre, Marina Melanyina, and the Museum of Oriental Art.

Cameraman Mohd Sallehin Hussain, who accompanied Azlinariah, gifted the museum a batik tengkolok.

What a wonderful way to celebrate the Malaysian National Day! The deeds of Ahmad Ashraff and Sallehin can be regarded as folk diplomacy.

Ahmad Ashraff's book that is full of love and admiration for Russia and its people, will help Malaysian readers get acquainted with Russia. Hopefully, it will encourage more Malaysians to visit Russia.

The tengkolok that was given to the museum will add to its collection and attract new friends in Russia.

This is how a bridge of friendship and mutual understanding is born through public diplomacy, which is the foundation of relations between the two countries.


The writer, writing from Russia, is a former lecturer of Universiti Malaya

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times

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