JAKARTA, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Consulate in Pekanbaru, Riau celebrated the 2025 National Day and Malaysia Day on Thursday night with much festivity, attended by about 400 guests including students and the Malaysian diaspora.
The guests included Riau Governor Abdul Wahid, Riau Police Chief Herry Heryawan, as well as academic leaders from Universitas Riau, Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim and Universitas Muhammadiyah.
Consul Mohammed Hosnie Shahiran Ismail said Malaysia’s relations with Riau and the Riau Islands were strengthened this year through the official visit of Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun in June and Selangor Crown Prince Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in August.
He urged Malaysians to continue playing a role in strengthening ties with the local community and invited more Riau residents to visit Malaysia ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
“More than two million Indonesians visited Malaysia in 2024 to seek healthcare services,” he said, according to the consulate’s statement.
In his response, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid stressed that Malaysia and Indonesia, particularly Riau province, are not only geographically close but also share a common history, culture, and closely-knit Malay values.
“This relationship is more than just an exchange of information; rather, it is a brotherhood that thrives in trade, education, culture, and interaction,” he said.
He also noted that Malaysia has emerged as the second-largest foreign investor in Riau, with investments amounting to US$520 million across 224 projects.
The celebration featured a lively dance performance by the Dazzle Dancers from Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur, and a soulful rendition of “Gurindam Jiwa” by local student Alfariz Halek Putra of Sekolah Menengah Pertama Islam As-Shofa.
The event also celebrated twenty orphans from Panti Asuhan Fajar Harapan and thirty members of the Paguyuban Sosial Marga Tionghoa Indonesia.
The Malaysian Consulate in Pekanbaru, which has been operating since 1983, is responsible for safeguarding Malaysia’s interests in the Riau and Riau Islands regions.
-- BERNAMA
