Malaysians celebrate national day in Melbourne

About 120 people attended a reception hosted by the Malaysian consulate-general here to mark Malaysia's 56th anniversary of independence.

The guest of honour was Dee Ryall, MP, representing the State Premier of Victoria, Denis Naptine.

Among the guests were members of the various diplomatic corps and Australia-Malaysia Business Council officials, and a group from the Sheikha Fashion Hub, led by its founder, Datin Norzihan Ahmad Latt, presented a brilliant Islamic fashion show.

Also present was Datuk Latt Shariman Abdullah, special functions officer of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

In his welcome, the Malaysian Consul-General here Datuk Dr Mohd Rameez Yahaya said Malaysia had made much progress since independence and was on its way to becoming a developed nation.

Ryall said Victoria and Malaysia were connected in many ways, with enduring relationship based on people-to-people, education and business links.

"Two-way trade between Victoria and Malaysia was currently valued at almost A$3 billion (about RM9 billion)," she said.

Ryall said the Malaysian community here had made "an outstanding contribution to the rich cultural and social fabric of Victoria, and to the economic advancement of our state".