Ireland Marks 30 Years In Malaysia, Highlighting Historical Personal Stories
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Ireland marked the 30th anniversary of its embassy in Kuala Lumpur by reflecting on historical personal stories that have built years of friendship and cooperation between Ireland and Malaysia.
Irish Ambassador to Malaysia Orla Tunney said the relations between the two countries are rooted not only in diplomatic exchanges but also in the personal stories of individuals and dignitaries who forged connections long before the embassy's establishment in 1995.
“Even before Malaysia’s independence, Ireland already had ties with the Federation of Malaya. What connects us most are the personal stories of people who have visited, studied, and lived in both countries,” she told reporters at the 'Foundation of Friendship' exhibition, held in conjunction with the 30th Anniversary of the Embassy of Ireland in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
She highlighted that the Embassy of Ireland in Kuala Lumpur was the country’s first in Southeast Asia and, for the last 30 years, it has been promoting the country mainly in education, the economy and culture.
Commenting on one of the figures featured in the exhibition, Tunney said Sister Enda Ryan's journey to Malaya in 1955 was particularly fascinating, noting her contributions to education.
The ambassador shared that the two of them met and had the opportunity to have lengthy conversations before the founder of the Assunta Primary and Secondary Schools passed away in 2024.
Moreover, she was also captivated by the Malay royal visit to Dublin in August 1866, when Sultan of Johor, Sultan Abu Bakar ibni Temenggung Daeng Ibrahim, notably showed interest in manufacturing and industry, she added.
It marked a key moment in the exploration of ties between Malaysia and Ireland, dating back to the 19th century.
The exhibition focuses on the journeys of people exploring both countries, with the Irish embassy diligently working to gather photographs and memorabilia from Irish families and Malaysian archives.
In discussing the current relationship, Tunney stressed the significant diplomatic common ground, viewing Ireland and Malaysia as "calm countries" that do not take sides when addressing regional and global challenges.
She said Ireland views matters on their merits and is not swayed by allegiance to any particular party – a principle that Malaysia shares.
"Calm countries like Ireland and Malaysia, we're behind the scenes, we're working together, we're doing what's right, and we're keeping multilateral cooperation going," she said.
Furthermore, this shared commitment extends to global stability, as evidenced by both nations' many years of joint service in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations, particularly the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Malaysia and Ireland are among the top troop-contributing countries globally, with deployments of 829 and 344 military personnel, respectively. This signifies their substantial and enduring presence in the region, working quietly to restore peace and security.
She also commended Malaysia's successful ASEAN Chairmanship this year for its ability to handle challenges within its ASEAN neighbours. Ireland will undertake a similar step when it hosts the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, scheduled to begin in July 2026.
-- BERNAMA
