Rice unites the people of ASEAN - Rosmah

Rice, as the main staple food of ASEAN, is seen as an element that binds the ASEAN people although the countries of the region have their own distinctive ways of preparing it.

Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Malaysian prime minister, said rice was aptly used as a metaphor for reinforcing unity among the ASEAN countries, which was significant as the association embraced the ASEAN Community and the vision of people-centredness.

"Like the rest of the world, we are passionate about food. It is thus important that we find commonalities that bring us closer together," she said in her welcome address at the 'Tapestry of ASEAN: ASEAN Food Fiesta' themed 'Rice that Binds Us' in the Malaysian capital Saturday.

The event was part of the spouses programme organised by the Malaysian Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister's Department in conjunction with the ongoing 27th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

Rosmah said the event aimed to showcase the diversity of the ASEAN main staple food, the richness of ASEAN and its vibrant cultures.