TAIPEI: After his last visit to Malaysia in 2016, former president of Taiwan Ma Ying-jeou is keen to visit the country again.
Ma, who was in Malaysia to deliver a speech, said the place itself is attractive!
Malaysia is very precious, according to him, because Chinese Malaysians have integrated the Chinese culture with the local culture, which is not easy. This integration has made the Chinese community here even stronger and truly wonderful.
“I last visited Malaysia in 2016! It’s been eight years now, and you have changed so much! The entire Southeast Asia has also changed very rapidly.”
In an exclusive interview with Kuik Cheng Kang, the editor-in-chief of Media Chinese International Limited and Sin Chew Daily, at Ma Ying-jeou Foundation office in Taipei, Ma said, “I would love to visit Malaysia again if there is a chance. However, there are no plans yet at this moment.”
He said before that he didn’t know that many Chinese people in Malaysia could actually speak Chinese or have a deep understanding of the Chinese culture.
“Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, none has as many people who can speak the Chinese language as Malaysia!
“It is not easy to preserve the Chinese culture, and their proficiency in the Chinese language is marvellous.
“I would love to visit Malaysia again if given a chance,” he said.
“It’s not easy to preserve the Chinese culture, and their proficiency in the language is marvellous… I would love to visit Malaysia again if given a chance.”
Students in Taiwan an important bridge between Taiwan and Malaysia
Ma was also greatly impressed by Malaysia’s bak kut teh.
“Besides bak kut teh, there are also delicacies called nyonya kueh,” he recalled.
“I remember the last time I gave a speech in Malaysia, someone in the audience held up a sign showing they were students from National Chengchi University’s International Trade Department. I felt at home!
“There are many Malaysian students who have studied in Taiwan, and I think this is great.
“If there are so many Malaysian students who have studied in Taiwan, no effort is required to build relationships.
“Overseas Chinese students are a very important bridge between Taiwan and Malaysia!”
Ma believes the Taiwanese government’s policy on foreign students should not only be promoted but also expanded to allow more connections.
Unlike Malaysia where the Chinese language is widely used, other regional countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines are at a disadvantage, as they lack a strong Chinese education foundation.
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