Improve Country's Image, 8 March 2010

AMSTERDAM (HOLLAND), March 8 (Bernama) -- Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has asked Malaysian restaurant operators in Holland, to help improve the country's image, which has been affected slightly by recent local events. He said the issue of the caning of a part-time model, the ban on the use of the word 'Allah' in the weekly publication of a church newsletter and subsequently, the burning of churches, have all received media attention in Holland.

At a meeting with Malaysian businessmen including restaurant operators here yesterday, Mustapa said the issues concerned, had been reported very negatively in Holland.

"The matter of the burning of churches was reported as if the whole country was on fire.This was attested to by the Dutch Ambassador to Malaysia at a recent meeting with me," he added.

"We have small image problem in Holland, I was told," said Mustapa who received many suggestions and queries on curent issues, at the business meeting.

In this regard, he was confident that retaurants could serve as a point or platform to help improve the country's image by informing customers that what was reported by the local media, was not entirely correct.

"You have an important role to play. Please explain, how things really are, in Malaysia. Yes, we have issues. All countries have issues which need to be overcome but we are able to do it better, compared to most others.

"Tell them that Malaysia is a peaceful country. We live in harmony, although we are a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country," he said.

He also stated that the Dutch need to be informed that Malaysia accepts and respects the culture and ways of the west and at the same time, hoped they would feel the same way towards the country, which had a Muslim majority population.

He expressed concern that inaccurate reports might affect the decision of Dutch investors towards investing in Malaysia.

"As the Minister responsible for atracting investments into the country, I am concerned.We need investments and trade as job opportunities then, can be created for the current generation and those to come," he explained.

There are 11 restaurants offering Malaysian food here.Among them are Wahlong in The Hague, Asian Glories, Melaka and Kampong Kita in Rotterdam, as well as the Royal Sang Kong in Amstelveen.

Mustapa is currently leading a trade and investment delegation to apart from Amsterdam, two other key European cities, Hamburg (Germany) and Birmingham (England), over eight days until March 13.

Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Malaysian Association of the Netherlands, Dave Gurnani said he was very satisfied with the briefing and explaination provided by Mustapa on current developments in the country.

-- BERNAMA