Australian High Commissioner’s visit to Sabah to enhance Australia-Sabah relationship
The Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, HE Mr Miles Kupa, is making an official visit to Sabah from 21 to 24 April 2013.
The High Commissioner’s engagements will include an award investiture ceremony on 22 April, where he will present YBhg Datuk Irene Betty Benggon Charuruks, General Manager of the Sabah Tourism Board, with an Honorary Medal in the Order of Australia.
The High Commissioner will host a luncheon on 23 April with key business leaders in Sabah to discuss potential trade and investment opportunities around the new Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA).
On 24 April, High Commissioner Kupa will flag off participants in the ‘Lest We Forget Run 2013’ organised by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall, and participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Kota Kinabalu ANZAC Memorial.
“I am delighted to be visiting Sabah as Australia and the State share strong linkages, especially in education, tourism, trade and investment, and historical military ties,” he said.
On trade and investment, the High Commissioner highlighted Australia’s business interests in Sabah. “Major Australia companies have operations in Sabah, including in the oil and gas and industrial sectors. There is also a growing relationship in education, with leading Australian institutions having partnership arrangements with Universiti Malaysia Sabah in student and academic exchange programs,” he said.
As for historical military ties, Australian involvement in liberating Sabah from Japanese occupation during World War II has cemented close historical ties between Australia and Sabah, said Mr Kupa. “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to flag off the Lest We Forget Fun Run 2013, and to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the ANZAC Memorial in Kota Kinabalu on 24 April, the eve of ANZAC Day,” he added.