ID :
17299
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 18:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/17299
The shortlink copeid
WHILE MALAYSIA CELEBRATES 'MERDEKA', SO DOES KYRGYZSTAN
By Ahmad Zukiman Zain
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Four months into his posting here, Kyrgyzstan ambassador Zheenbek Kulubaev has many reasons to feel close to Malaysia.
To start with, while Malaysia celebrates 'Merdeka' on Aug 31, so does the
Central Asian republic.
"We are like brothers," he said as he spoke about plans to enhance
Malaysia-Kyrgyz ties in an interview with Bernama ahead of its independence day.
As Malaysia gears up for the national day on Sunday, Kulubaev said the
celebration would also normally be held in a big way in Kyrgyzstan which gained
independence in 1991 from the Soviet Union.
However the Kyrgystan government has cancelled celebration planned at the
central square of its capital Bishkek this year following the airplane crash
which left 68 people dead last Sunday.
Kulubaev said his country was keen to tap Malaysia's experience in Islamic
finance and 'halal' food.
"Our major agricultural products include beef and mutton... the Malaysian
experience in halal food can help us export to other Muslim countries," he said.
He said Kyrgyzstan had sent its officials to Malaysia to study the Islamic
financial system for adoption in the country of five million people.
Saying there were wide potentials for the Malaysian business sector to
invest in the Kyrgyz republic, he hoped to invite Malaysian businessmen to visit
his country to get a first-hand look.
Among areas they could consider were electronics and information
technology, small and medium hydropower stations, mining, transportation and
tourism.
"Malaysian businessmen can also use Kyrgyzstan as the gateway to the
Central Asia region," he said.
With an area of 198,500 square kilometres, Kyrgyzstan borders with China,
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Kulubaev said he had held discussion with Transport Minister Ong Tee
Keat on the possibility of establishing direct a air link between the two
countries to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Blessed with natural beauty of mountains and lakes, he said the most
popular tourist destination in Kyrgyzstan is the Issyk-Kul lake, located 1,600
metres above sea level.
The 45-year-old ambassador recalled that horse games and competitions are
popular among the Kyrgyz people during holidays.
"The horse race can be up to 30kms through the mountains," said Kulubaev,
who himself enjoys horse-riding.
Kulubaev said he was looking forward to celebrating the Holy month of
Ramadhan in Malaysia.
"Sixty-three percent of our population are Muslims and being here in
Malaysia during the fasting month will be an interesting experience for me," he
said.
Kulubaev first visited Malaysia in 2003 when he was the deputy foreign
minister to attend a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference
(OIC).
He said there were about 60 Kyrgyz citizens staying in Malaysia, mainly
students and some working in IT companies.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Four months into his posting here, Kyrgyzstan ambassador Zheenbek Kulubaev has many reasons to feel close to Malaysia.
To start with, while Malaysia celebrates 'Merdeka' on Aug 31, so does the
Central Asian republic.
"We are like brothers," he said as he spoke about plans to enhance
Malaysia-Kyrgyz ties in an interview with Bernama ahead of its independence day.
As Malaysia gears up for the national day on Sunday, Kulubaev said the
celebration would also normally be held in a big way in Kyrgyzstan which gained
independence in 1991 from the Soviet Union.
However the Kyrgystan government has cancelled celebration planned at the
central square of its capital Bishkek this year following the airplane crash
which left 68 people dead last Sunday.
Kulubaev said his country was keen to tap Malaysia's experience in Islamic
finance and 'halal' food.
"Our major agricultural products include beef and mutton... the Malaysian
experience in halal food can help us export to other Muslim countries," he said.
He said Kyrgyzstan had sent its officials to Malaysia to study the Islamic
financial system for adoption in the country of five million people.
Saying there were wide potentials for the Malaysian business sector to
invest in the Kyrgyz republic, he hoped to invite Malaysian businessmen to visit
his country to get a first-hand look.
Among areas they could consider were electronics and information
technology, small and medium hydropower stations, mining, transportation and
tourism.
"Malaysian businessmen can also use Kyrgyzstan as the gateway to the
Central Asia region," he said.
With an area of 198,500 square kilometres, Kyrgyzstan borders with China,
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Kulubaev said he had held discussion with Transport Minister Ong Tee
Keat on the possibility of establishing direct a air link between the two
countries to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Blessed with natural beauty of mountains and lakes, he said the most
popular tourist destination in Kyrgyzstan is the Issyk-Kul lake, located 1,600
metres above sea level.
The 45-year-old ambassador recalled that horse games and competitions are
popular among the Kyrgyz people during holidays.
"The horse race can be up to 30kms through the mountains," said Kulubaev,
who himself enjoys horse-riding.
Kulubaev said he was looking forward to celebrating the Holy month of
Ramadhan in Malaysia.
"Sixty-three percent of our population are Muslims and being here in
Malaysia during the fasting month will be an interesting experience for me," he
said.
Kulubaev first visited Malaysia in 2003 when he was the deputy foreign
minister to attend a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference
(OIC).
He said there were about 60 Kyrgyz citizens staying in Malaysia, mainly
students and some working in IT companies.
