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| Malaysian-German Society |
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The 7th April 1962 was an auspicious day for Malasian-German relations in Penang. It was on this day that a number of Malaysians band two germans met at the palatial residence of Mr. Soon Cheng Sun in Northam Road to found a Malaysian-German Society. It is worth nothing that the two Germans, both employees of Behn, Meyer & Co., represented the majority of the German population on Penang Island at the time, numbering a total of three.
Malaysians after having gained “merdeka” from Britain, tended to look at Germany very much the same way the British had done: They would travel to London first and then “tour the continent” of which Germany was seen a remote and unknown part. There were also perceived language difficulties as few Malaysians had any Knowledge of German and no Malaysian visitor was sure if he/she could get by there on English. The majority of the founder members of the Society had been to Germany and Dr. Menon, the first President, had been to university there. What brought the founder members together was the conviction that germany and Malaysia merited a far broader exchange of ideas than had until then the case. Right from the start the new Society aimed at strenghthening Malaysian-German cultural ties. These included an exchange of technical, sientific and cultural knowledge an information. Above everything else, the Society aimed at promoting better understanding and friendship between Malaysians from a broad spectrum of Society and Germans who, at one time or other, had came into contact with the country and its people. The Society was very fortunate in obtaining the consent of Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato’ Khir Johari who became the Society’s patron thereby lending condiderable prestige to the fledgeing Society. Also right from the start, the society enjoyed the support of the Embassy of the Federal Republik of Germany and the German Cultural Institute. It was with their help, that many aspects of German culture were introduced to the island of Penang, ranging from concerts to filmshows and exhibitions of art. During the first year of its existence, the Society organized a function at my house in Jesselton Crescent attended by some 50 Malaysians and members of other nationalities. Bavarian food and some beer, flown especially for the occasion, was served. To many guests this was the first exposure to South German hospitality. The function was so successful that it was repeated the next year and can be considered a forrunner of the annual Oktoberfest that the Society celebrates every year. I Am pleased to see, that after 40 years the Society has grown to maturity. It has lived up to the ideas that were formulaterd so many years ago by the founder members. I would like to extend my warm greetings and best wishes to the president, the committee and all its members. May the society be as successful in the future as it has been during the last 40 years. LINK: Malaysian-German Society |
