The Malaysian ambassador to the United States, Rajmah Hussain, is to visit Atlanta on Saturday, Aug. 11, for the 2007 Malaysian Gala as guest of honor.

The gala is the third organized by the Malaysian Association of Georgia and is expected to draw more than 350 guests, based on last year’s attendance at the second gala that drew some 330 attendees.

It will be held at the Sheraton Hotel at the intersection of Courtland Street and International Boulevard downtown beginning at 5 p.m.

The event commemorates Malaysia’s 50th Independence Day, marking the country’s independence from British colonial rule on Aug. 31, 1957. “Visit Malaysia 2007” is a special tourism initiative this year in view of the many celebrations planned around the 50th anniversary.

“In this regard, I encourage all the members of the Malaysia Association of Georgia to assume the role of ‘Cultural Ambassador’ in promoting Malaysia this year on account of the many festivities and celebrations that are being planned for Aug. 31,” Dr. Rajmah wrote in a special message to Fabian De Rozario, the association’s president.

Mr. De Rozario told GlobalAtlanta that Chef Zam, a television celebrity in Malaysia whom he referred to as “the Emeril of Malaysia,” also is to attend the event. Mr. Zam is to prepare a signature dish and to join Dr. Rajmah as a speaker.
CNN Headline News anchor Richard Lui is to be the co-master of ceremonies, and a bazaar featuring food and items for purchase is to precede the banquet.

According to Mr. De Rozario, there are some 2,500 Malaysians living in Georgia with some 90 percent being first generation immigrants. About 50 percent arrived 10 years or more ago with the racial mix comprised of some 75 percent, Chinese; 10 percent, Malay and 5 percent, Indian, he added.

He said that Malaysia is the United States’ 10th largest trading partner with the total in two-way trade coming to some $47 billion last year.
Malaysia is the world’s largest producer of rubber, tin and palm oil, and the world’s leading exporter of semiconductor devices, computer hard disks, audio and video products and air conditioners.

Dr. Rajmah is a career diplomat with more than 30 years in the Malaysian Foreign Service and has served as Malaysia’s ambassador to Austria, Belgium and France, and also as Malaysia’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

She is a specialist in the field of disarmament, having been trained as a United Nations Disarmament Fellow and having served as president of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. She has a doctorate in international relations from the University of London.

The cost of tickets for the gala are $50 for association members and $60 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased online at www.malaysia-ga.org or by contacting mag@malaysia-ga.org or by calling (404) 431-3711.
Story Contacts, Links and Related Stories
Malaysian Association of Georgia – (404) 431-3711