Tour Of Duty In Malaysia Deeply Rewarding, Says Outgoing Turkish Ambassador 

By Noor Bakthtiar Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) -- Outgoing Turkish Ambassador to Malaysia Emir Salim Yüksel said he is honoured to have contributed to strengthening Kuala Lumpur and Ankara relations, which saw both nations forge closer cooperation across diplomacy, trade, culture and people-to-people ties.

Describing his four years in Malaysia as a “fantastic experience”, Yüksel told Bernama that his tenure had been both professionally rewarding and personally meaningful.

“Malaysia is an important diplomatic posting for Turkish diplomats. I have enjoyed my time here very much, both professionally and personally,” he said.

Yüksel said bilateral relations between Malaysia and Türkiye had grown significantly over the past four years through increased interaction, high-level visits and cooperation in education, defence, diplomacy and politics.

He noted that relations between Malaysia and Türkiye had also expanded beyond traditional diplomacy, with closer collaboration in tourism, cultural exchanges and people-to-people connections.

According to Yüksel, increased high-level engagements over the years had also helped improve mutual understanding and exposure between Malaysians and Turks.

He also credited the close ties between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with helping elevate relations between the two countries.

“Their special connection and friendship also helped a lot in increasing the level of interaction between the two countries.

“So, I think in the future, Turkiye and Malaysia will be much closer, thanks to the efforts of the leadership of both countries,” he said.

Reflecting on his personal journey in Malaysia, Yüksel said he had learned much about Malaysian society, cultures and politics throughout his stay.

He said he has build friendships that he would cherish for life and leaving the country with a lot of fond memories.

“I have lots of friends here right now, so I think these friendships will be treasured throughout my life,” he said.

He also said that he will miss Malaysian delicacies, especially the Black Thorn durians, satay and cendol while sharing his favourite Malay phrase that he has learnt: “Selamat menjamu selera”.

Yüksel also encouraged Malaysians and Turks to continue visiting each other’s countries and to deepen understanding, noting that improved air connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul through Turkish Airlines and AirAsia X had helped bring the people of both nations closer together.

Upon concluding his diplomatic tenure in Malaysia, Yüksel is set to begin his new role as Türkiye’s ambassador to Colombia in Bogotá on June 15.

-- BERNAMA