Commonwealth Unity on Display as UK Minister for Indo-Pacific and Malaysian Deputy Secretary General of Bilateral Affairs Headline Royal Commonwealth Society Malaysia Branch Event.
- RCS Malaysia Branch
- Mar 12
- 2 min read
KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 – The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) Malaysia Branch hosted a distinguished gathering of diplomats, government officials, and dignitaries to mark Commonwealth Observance Day 2025, an event that underscored the enduring bonds and shared values among the 56 member nations.
The evening commenced with the arrival of key dignitaries, including Yang Berhormat Dato’ Ahmad Rozian Abd. Ghani, Deputy Secretary General of Bilateral Affairs at Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Catherine West, the UK Minister for Indo-Pacific. Guests were welcomed with an Iftar dinner in the Tun HS Lee Room, followed by Maghrib prayers at the Surau, blending diplomatic engagement with Malaysia’s cultural traditions.
The proceedings opened with a performance of Malaysia’s national anthem, Negara Ku. Then Mr. Tony Kassim, President of the RCS Malaysia Branch, delivered a warm welcome address, reaffirming the Society’s commitment to the Commonwealth’s core principles of democracy, peace, and sustainable development.
Ms. Catherine West, representing the UK government, took the podium to deliver a keynote address, which included a reading of His Majesty King Charles III’s Commonwealth Day Message. Emphasising the importance of diplomacy, she stated, "as we mark Commonwealth Day together, there's no more important task than to restore the disrupted harmony of our entire planet for the sake of our younger generations' threatened future… I can only hope that the Commonwealth will continue its vital work to restore that harmony."
Yang Berhormat Dato’ Ahmad Rozian Abd. Ghani led a toast to His Majesty King Charles III, praising his dedication to fostering unity and progress across the Commonwealth. This was followed by a toast to Malaysia’s Head of State; Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, which was delivered by Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, His Excellency Vanu Gopala Menon, who is the Doyen of the Commonwealth Countries in Malaysia.[EV1]
The event also served as a platform to recognise outstanding contributions to Commonwealth diplomacy. Ms. Bernice Narayanan, Chair of the RCS Malaysia Branch, presented honorary membership certificates to the newly appointed High Commissioners to Malaysia from Canada, Fiji, Kenya, and New Zealand.
As guests enjoyed dinner, the Malaysian Pipe Band Club provided lively music, and the British High Commission to Malaysia showcased the ‘Ambassador for the Day’ project, celebrating the critical role of youth in shaping the future of diplomacy.
Another moment of cultural exchange in a night of many came from Dr. Henry Savarimuthu, Honorary Consul of Vanuatu, who introduced attendees to kava, the traditional Pacific drink, offering insights into its ceremonial significance in Vanuatu’s culture.
The Commonwealth Observance Day 2025 successfully strengthened diplomatic ties and reaffirmed the shared values of democracy, peace, and sustainability among Commonwealth nations. The event served as a platform for meaningful dialogue and relationship building among dignitaries and representatives, further promoting the spirit of the Commonwealth in Malaysia and beyond.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
