>>> You are here : PRESS RELEASE / MALAYSIA WEEK PROMOTION

 
Embassy of Malaysia
Paris

PRESS RELEASE

6/06                                                                                                               23 March 2006

The Malaysia Week promotion was launched at the Hotel Concorde La Fayette in Paris on 16 March 2006. The 10-day promotion featuring Malaysia’s food, traditional arts and music was held in conjunction with the World Tourism Fair (Salon Mondial du Tourisme) at the Porte de Versailles in Paris.

A reception was held to launch the promotion at the Concorde Hotel La Fayette on 16 March 2006. It was officiated by the Malaysian Ambassador to France, H.E. Dato’ Hamidah Mohd Yusoff. Present at the event was a special guest, the Hon. Dato’ Sri Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation who was on a working visit to France to attend a symposium at UNESCO. Guests at the reception included the diplomatic corps, members of the French travel industry and media representatives.

Another special guest was Dayang Muda Cecilia Margaret Brooke, the great grand daughter of Sir James Brooke, the first Rajah of Sarawak. Dayang Muda Cecilia Brooke had earlier participated in the travel dialogue on Sarawak together with Sarawak-born fashion designer Tom Abang Saufi which was held at the Malaysia stand of the Salon Mondial du Tourisme.

In her remarks at the launching of the Malaysia Week promotion, H.E. Dato’ Hamidah Mohd Yusoff mentioned that next year has been declared the ‘‘Visit Malaysia Year 2007” in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia’s independence and urged those present to take this opportunity to plan a trip to Malaysia. From January to November 2005, Malaysia welcomed 37,488 French tourists representing a positive growth of 22.5% compared to the same period last year.

The more than 150 guests who attended the function were served with Malaysian cuisine such as satay, nyonya pie tee, rojak buah and popiah. They were alsoentertained by Mr. Mathiew Ngau who hailed from Ulu Baram, Sarawak. Using a shield and a traditional music instrument called “Sape”, he performed the “Ngajat”, an Iban tribe warrior dance. He also demonstrated to the guests present the traditional Sarawak painting on tree barks.

During the ten-day promotion from March 16 to March 26, the Malaysian delicacies prepared by chef Reduan Tarju from Hotel Sunway, Kuala Lumpur, will give French and international diners a chance to sample the diverse Malaysian cuisine. Malaysian dishes such as satay, soup ekor lembu, kari nyonya, Sarawak styled chicken-  Pansuh Manok and Nasi Kerabu Kelantan were some of the dishes that will be served during lunch and dinner at the Concorde La Fayette restaurant. 

Throughout the week, Malaysian handicrafts and traditional fabrics such as batik, songket and kain tenun from Exotic Arts, Kuala Lumpur are displayed at the hotel lobby. The event will also include demonstrations of Sarawak painting on tree barks, the Sape Sarawak Orang Ulu music performance and the art of Malay well-being. Puan Norazizah Borhan of Legenda Spa, Kuala Lumpur demonstrates the traditional “mandi bunga” and other traditional Malay healing custom from natural ingredients found in indigenous herbs and plants.

The food promotion at the Hotel Concorde La Fayette was well received by the French public. The restaurant was full during lunch and dinner throughout the promotion and the guests seemed to enjoy the spicy Malaysian dishes prepared by Chef Reduan.

Encl : Some photos taken at the launching of the Malaysia Week on 16 March 2006