THE MALAYSIAN Consul General to Davao City hosted other consular officers, dignitaries, government officials, school heads, the business community, and selected media members to the 68th National Day of Malaysia Diplomatic Reception in the Grand Ballroom of Dusit Thani Hotel on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025.
In his speech, Hon. Deddy Faisal Bin Ahmad Salleh, Consul General of Malaysia in Davao City, said the running theme for this year’s celebration is Rakyat Disantuni, which means “caring for the people.” It celebrates Malaysia as a diverse and unified nation, but it also extends to its immediate neighbors in the BIMP-EAGA and the ASEAN as a whole.
“The essence of this theme extends beyond our borders. Malaysia has always upheld the principle of shared prosperity with our neighbours. As Chair of ASEAN this year, we are committed to steering the region towards greater resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability at this pivotal moment in our shared journey,” he said.
The dinner reception, he said, was a testament to the close relationship between Malaysia and the Philippines, and Davao City in particular.
For instance, he highlighted the role of a Malaysian firm, HSS Engineers, in the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project or the Davao Bus Project. HSS won the consultancy contract for the design, procurement, and construction monitoring of the P74-billion, 672-kilometer connectivity network.
“As a reputable listed consultancy, HSS has successfully delivered several mega projects in Malaysia, including the LRT Lines 1 and 2. With this proven expertise, HSS is now extending its capabilities to Davao, with pilot operations targeted to commence in the third quarter of 2027,” he added.
For his part, Sec. Magno recognized Malaysia’s role in advancing and preserving the peace in Mindanao, specifically in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
“While there are so many ways that Malaysia and the Philippines have delivered our relationship together, what is important to me is their contribution to the continuous talks to make sure that we enjoy the peace and the gains of peace that we have right now,” he said.
“Let us continue to build bridges, not just in our countries but in our communities. Our BIMP-EAGA, and the larger ASEAN community,” he added.
Among the honored guests were Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen of the People’s Republic of China; Consul General Agus Trenggono of the Republic of Indonesia bersama Ibu Yeni; Consul General Ono Hirotaka of Japan; Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso Magno (a BIMP-EAGA Signing Minister); National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Lope Santos III; Department of Foreign Affairs-Mindanao Asec. Maria Agnes Cervantes; Davao City Police Office director Col. Mannan Muarip; Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Dr. Roland Suico; University of Immaculate Conception president Sister Maria Marissa Viri RVM, Davao City councilors, and representatives from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.
For a rare treat, the Malaysian Consulate flew in dancers from Sarawak, North Borneo, to give guests a glimpse of their traditional dances. Following a dinner, foreign consuls, local officials, and businessmen joined the performers to cap the night.
