Malaysia To Continue Cooperation With UNHCR To Solve Refugee Issues KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will continue to cooperate with the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR) in addressing international refugee issues although Malaysia is not a state party to the 1951 Convention and its Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, said a Foreign Ministery statement here Tuesday It said the cooperation, on humanitarian grounds, was among the highlights of the first meeting between Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and Paul Alan Vernon, representative of UNHCR to Malaysia, in Putrajaya Tuesday. During the meeting, both Anifah and Vernon also noted the excellent cooperation between the Malaysian government and UNHCR in facilitating solutions related to the problem of international refugees. The statement said the meeting provided the opportunity for both sides to discuss a range of issues pertaining to refugees and asylum seekers at the international level. Vernon, who is an American, is the 12th representative of UNHCR to Malaysia. He started his career with the UNHCR in 1987 and had worked at the UNHCR representative office in Terengganu, from 1987 to 1991. -- BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The new World Health Organisation (WHO) representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Dr Corinne Martine Monique Capuano, presented her letter of appointment to Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong, here. Dr Capuano, who started duty on Dec 8 last year, replaced Dr Han Tieru, who completed his tour of duty on Sept 13. The French national started her career with the WHO in Port Vila, Vanuatu, and her last post was as a scientist at the WHO Representative Office in Suva, Fiji. She told reporters later that the WHO was committed to working hand in hand with Health Ministry and the government to improve the health of the population. "Malaysia has developed a lot of technical capacity and we also looking forward to utilising this technical capacity for the region and at the international level," she said. Meanwhile, Lee said Malaysia sought the WHO's continuous assistance in helping the ministry to improve resistance towards future pandemic. He said the seriousness of non-communicable diseases was alarming in the country, thus assistance from the WHO was appreciated, especially in terms of intensive and comprehensive research on how to promote awareness among the public. "The Foreign Ministry is willing to work hand-in-hand with Health Ministry to assist, facilitate as well as collaborate with the WHO for mutual benefit and hope that Dr Capuano will have a good working relationship with the Malaysian authorities," he said. -- BERNAMA

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Hasrul Sani Mujtabar made a courtesy call on H.E. Khalida Toumi, the Minister of Culture of Algeria, at her office on 17 February, 2010.  Given the rich culture and civilization that Algeria has, it would be important for Malaysia to have close relations with Algeria in this regard.

The Minister took this opportunity to invite Malaysia to attend and participate in the International Conference on Culture in Tlemcen, next year, entitled “Tlemcen, the Islamic Capital of Culture”, with the close cooperation of the OIC.  As an important and progressive Islamic nation together with its rich cultural heritage, Malaysia’s participation would be highly appreciated.

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Hasrul Sani Mujtabar, visited one of the sites in the East-West Highway of Algeria where nearly 80 Malaysians are working under a Japanese company, COJAL.  The project is expected to complete next year which could link up Tunisia, its neighbour.

The Algerian Government is spending billions of US dollars to upgrade its infrastructure under the 5-year development programme, 2009-2013.  Malaysian companies should seize such lucrative opportunities promptly.

It was the first visit by the Malaysian Ambassador aimed at giving moral support to our workers there.  At their camps, these workers are being served on daily basis, Malaysian foods including roti canai, mee goreng and teh tarik!!