Fiji’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ratu Etueni Qiolele Caucau, presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, at the Istana Negara, the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The presentation of credentials and reopening of Fiji’s diplomatic mission in Kuala Lumpur is a strategic step taken by the Coalition Government to enhance Fiji’s diplomatic footprint globally as mandated in Fiji’s Foreign Policy White Paper. Fiji’s renewed cooperation with Malaysia will unfold new avenues to promote the prosperity of the two nations and people.
During the credentials ceremony, High Commissioner Caucau conveyed to His Majesty the warm greetings and well-wishes of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Fiji, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, and the people of Fiji.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim reciprocated his best wishes to President Lalabalavu and to the people of Fiji, expressing deep appreciation for the strong friendship and the gallant contributions of Fijian servicemen during the Malayan Emergency.
High Commissioner Caucau also expressed his commitment to solidifying Fiji’s bilateral relations and cooperation with Malaysia and the broader Asia region.
He looks forward to upcoming engagements where he will meet with Malaysia’s Dean of the Diplomatic Community, the Director General of Foreign Affairs, and government ministers to identify new opportunities for partnership in the vibrant Southeast Asia region, given Malaysia’s key role in the global economy and as the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), representing a market of 700 million people with immense economic potential.
Malaysia ranks among Fiji’s top ten trading partners, with several Malaysian companies operating in Fiji, notably the Carpenters Group and the luxurious Shangri-La hotel.
High Commissioner Caucau will work closely with the Fijian and Malaysian counterparts, businesses, and civil societies to maximise opportunities for both the Fijian people and, more importantly, in preserving the historical legacy and memory of “Bula Maleya,” the involvement of our Fijian servicemen in the Malayan Emergency.
Fiji and Malaysia relations underpin the historical ties between the Commonwealth members that date back to the Malayan Emergency of the 1950s when a Fijian Infantry Regiment served in Malaysia alongside Commonwealth troops.