Overview of 2012 and a recap of October to December

Last year was a great year for AMBCQ.  After 6 years of hard work, the AMBCQ has really come a long way and the fruits of all that labour can be seen in the active membership base, the strong business and political networks, and the collaborative relationships we have with our partners.  We had a very busy year, as always, but it was also a very exciting year.  We worked in close collaboration with Malaysian government representatives on many projects, we gained new members, and we ventured into new territory.

We had an extremely successful AMBCQ Ball in September, and we welcomed on board two new corporate supporters - QUT and Griffith University.  Through the year, we had the privilege of hosting the Malaysian High Commissioner, the Australian High Commissioner, the Malaysian Trade Commissioner, the Malaysian Agricultural Consul, the Lord Mayor, and many other dignitaries   We were involved with visits by the Sarawak Housing Minister, the Malaysian Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and the Deputy Prime Minister. Our dragon boat team competed in three regattas and had a great time, and we also supported the Malaysian students' Citra Malaysia event.  And we met briefly with Tun Dr Mahathir - a great privilege.  And MAFTA was passed through the Australian Parliament.

I missed posting about a number of events late last year - October to December were exceptionally busy months for the AMBCQ and for me personally, it coincided with the birth of my third child in October.  In that short amount of time there were seven delegations to Brisbane or the Gold Coast.  This could have been several blog posts, but my hands were full with my newborn, so I didn't get to attend many events. So here is a recap.

Talent Corp Delegation, 11 and 12 October 2012 

Talent Corp (a Malaysian Government entity tasked with developing and enhancing Malaysia's human resource capacity by attracting skilled Malaysians back home) visited a number of capital cities, including Brisbane.  The delegation included businesses and healthcare professionals, and they hosted two information evenings at the Sofitel.  The AMBCQ helped bring together many of the students, professionals and business people who attended these two events.  These were good forums - there was sufficient time for questions and answers, and the participants on all sides were very open and forthcoming about issues of concern.

Delegation led by Sarawak Housing Minister, 14-19 October 2012

Kiong and I assisted the Sarawak Government to organise a visit by a 60-person delegation led by  the Minister for Tourism and for Housing.  Members of AMBCQ were there to receive the delegation at the airport and spent several days with the delegation.  Members of the delegation included the Minister, two Assistant Ministers, an MP, and the Attorney General, numerous top public servants,city council officials, and leading members of the Sarawak Housing Development Association.  The delegation was warmly received by Cr Angela Owen-Taylor representing the Lord Mayor. 

AMBCQ also helped to organise meetings at Brisbane City Council, Queensland Government and we helped to put together at short notice an afternoon tea with a Queensland Minister the Hon Glen Elmes MP and several of our friends (Mark Boothman MP, Freya Ostapovitch MP, Ian Berry MP, Anthony Shorten MP, Mark Stewart MP, Tarnya Smith MP and Michael Pucci MP) at Queensland Parliament. 

The delegation of over 60 from Sarawak's State Government and Housing Industry met with AMBCQ members at Stamford Plaza, October 2012.  Thank you to Keith Low for the photograph - not easy to take and he managed to jump in as well!

Citra Malaysia festival, 20th October

This festival is in its second year, and AMBCQ was once again heavily involved.  Thanks to all the members who came along to support the event and a very special thanks to those who helped out on the day.  We have some great members who have really been fantastic in supporting these events, especially events like this which are very labour intensive - Rahmat and Anita, Ivan, Ben, Keith, Amirul and Danny (and several others - apologies if I missed acknowledging you as I was in the maternity ward at that time) thank you so much.  And thanks once again to Keith for the photos!

The audience watching performances during the day.

Kiong addressing the audience.

Delegation led by James Chan, Mayor of Kuching South, October 2012

Cr Angela Owen-Taylor, a friend of the Mayor of Kuching South Datuk Mayor James Chan hosted a visit by Mayor Chan and his delegation.  The delegation studied Brisbane's public transport system. AMBCQ President Kiong Chan spent the day with the delegation before hosting afternoon tea at the Hilton, and seeing the delegation off at the airport later that night.

Deepavali, 3rd November

As we always do each year, the AMBCQ supported the Tamil Association's annual Deepavali dinner at the RNA Showgrounds.  This event attracts around 800 people each year, and is a night of performances, food and celebration for the Tamil community.  It is always a lot of fun and it is great to support our friends in the Tamil community.

Malaysian Scientific Diaspora Launch with Malaysian Minister for Higher Education and Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, November 2012

The worldwide launch of the Malaysian Scientific Diaspora was held on the Gold Coast to coincide with the visit by Malaysian Minister for Higher Education and Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister.  

AMBCQ President Kiong Chan was invited by the Malaysian Government to help form the Malaysian Scientific Diaspora Network.  

The event started with an inaugural luncheon at the Marriott Surfers Paradise with a group of leading scientists, followed by a large official dinner with Ministerfor Higher Education Dato' Sri Khaled Nordin and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at Sheraton Gold Coast.  

At the launch, Kiong made a reply speech following the Deputy Prime Minister's official speech.  He highlighted the numerous possibilities afforded by the newly launched Malaysian Scientific Diaspora Network, and the potential for bilateral collaboration.  Many thanks to those AMBCQ members who participated in the event and helped organise participants.  A special thanks to Rahmat Shazi who along with Qistina Jamil, MCed the event very professionally.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dinner, November 2012

Kiong and I assisted the Malaysian government with several aspects of the Malaysian Deputy prime Minister's visit to Australia.  AMBCQ was invited by the Malaysian government to attend the Deputy Prime Minister's Charity Golf Dinner on the Gold Coast. The event raised money for charity, and the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin Foundation made donations to all Malaysian student associations in Australian and New Zealand universities and all UMNO student branches in Australia and Malaysia.

Malaysian Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, December 2012

This wonderful event was hosted by the Queensland Youth Orchestra at that most interesting of venues, the Old Museum, and home to the Orchestra. AMBCQ was invited to co-host the post concert reception, so we supplied Malaysian food for the reception.  All those who attended had a great evening, and the performance of these young Malaysians was by all accounts truly magnificent.  It was a great privilege to be involved in such a prestigious event.

Visit by Tun Dr Mahathir, December 2012

Tun Dr Mahathir, Malaysia's longest serving Prime Minister, was briefly in Queensland on a private visit. Kiong and I were privileged to be invited to meet with Tun Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah and we took the opportunity to present the couple with a small gift to add to the official collection at Tun Mahathir's Perdana Leadership Foundation.  

Kiong and I had not had the opportunity to catch up with Tun Mahathir since we last met him during Paradigm Infinitum's NMIC Project in Malaysia in 2009.  Tun Mahathir has lost none of his presence, and we were struck by the couple's warmth, humility and friendliness.