ID :
147767
Thu, 10/28/2010 - 14:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/147767
The shortlink copeid
PM, MANMOHAN LAUNCH `LITTLE INDIA`
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak and his visiting
Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, on Wednesday launched 'Little India', Kuala
Lumpur's Indian enclave in Brickfields.
Both leaders unveiled a fountain, symbolising the launch of the event which
strengthened their close government-to-government and people-to-people
relations.
"This is more than a symbol...will be a tourist place and will certainly benefit
the people here," Najib said in his remarks before the launch which was attended
by about 5,000 people amidst tight security in the area.
'Little India' covers the area from Jalan Travers to Jalan Tun Sambanthan, with
the first phase costing RM17 million (US$5.467 million), expected to be ready in
December.
Work on the first phase -- developed by Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad
(MRCB) -- began in May.
The two-phase 'Little India' project, worth RM35 million (US$11.247
million), involves the construction of new business premises and a parking complex,
and road expansion.
Standing at 7.62 metres, the fountain is the tallest in the country. A stone's
throw away is the KL Sentral, the capital's transportation hub.
Manmohan arrived here on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to Malaysia.
The Brickfields area was decorated with colourful banners welcoming Najib and
Manmohan.
The dignitaries were entertained with cultural shows, including a 1Malaysia
welcome song by 60 schoolchildren, and a welcoming dance by maestro Ramli
Ibrahim.
After the cultural show, Najib and Manmohan were presented with golden shawls
by Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal
Abidin. Both leaders were also garlanded with flowers by his deputy, M.
Saravanan.
The 'Little India' project is Najib's brainchild. In April last year, less than
24 hours after being sworn in as prime minister, he went on a walkabout to meet
the people in Brickfields.
In his remarks, Najib said Manmohan's presence at the event signified the deep
desire to bring Kuala Lumpur and New Delhi relations to greater heights, not
only in the context of government-to-government which was moving positively but
also "the relations touch the hearts of many people living in Malaysia and in
this area of Brickfields".
He said the visit was also significant because it was a very strong
indication that the relations were growing stronger and stronger, encompassing many
areas.
Najib said the event was of special significance to the people of
Brickfields as this was part and parcel of the government's urban renewal.
"We want to showcase the dynamism, vibration and the progress of
Brickfields...Brickfields got particular charm...nice eating places. Above all, the
government has made good its pledges to re-develop Brickfields," he said.
Najib said the government also decided to develop this area as 'Litte India'
because Brickfields was a nice area but was losing its shine.
Najib said that today's ceremony was a new beginning for Brickfields.
"Brickfields will never be the same...a new Brickfields to showcase to the
world...a 'Little India' in Malaysia," he said.
Meanwhile, Manmohan, in his speech, said that Malaysia represented the very best
of Asia.
"It is diverse and simply beautiful...home to the people of different ethnics,
religions and background," he said, adding that Malaysia set the example for
tolerant, harmonious and peaceful co-existence.
"This is precisely what we are trying to do back home in India," he said.
He said Malaysian Indians made important contributions to the development of
Malaysia and excelled in many areas of professionalism.
"The decision to develop this 'Little India'...is a tribute to the
contribution of all Malaysians of Indian origin in developing this country," he said.
Thanking Najib for conceiving such a great idea, Manmohan said that under
Najib's leadership, Malaysia had entered a new era of progress and prosperity.
In years to come, he said India-Malaysia relationship was poised for significant
expansion.
After Manmohan left, Najib spent a few minutes walking in the area, only to be
given a rousing welcome by thousands of people gathered there.
Raja Nong Chik, in his speech, said that a memorandum of understanding between
Malaysia and India on the establishment of Sister-City relationship between
Kuala Lumpur and Chennai was approved in principle, and scheduled to be signed
in Kuala Lumpur, by the end of next month.
-- BERNAMA
Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, on Wednesday launched 'Little India', Kuala
Lumpur's Indian enclave in Brickfields.
Both leaders unveiled a fountain, symbolising the launch of the event which
strengthened their close government-to-government and people-to-people
relations.
"This is more than a symbol...will be a tourist place and will certainly benefit
the people here," Najib said in his remarks before the launch which was attended
by about 5,000 people amidst tight security in the area.
'Little India' covers the area from Jalan Travers to Jalan Tun Sambanthan, with
the first phase costing RM17 million (US$5.467 million), expected to be ready in
December.
Work on the first phase -- developed by Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad
(MRCB) -- began in May.
The two-phase 'Little India' project, worth RM35 million (US$11.247
million), involves the construction of new business premises and a parking complex,
and road expansion.
Standing at 7.62 metres, the fountain is the tallest in the country. A stone's
throw away is the KL Sentral, the capital's transportation hub.
Manmohan arrived here on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to Malaysia.
The Brickfields area was decorated with colourful banners welcoming Najib and
Manmohan.
The dignitaries were entertained with cultural shows, including a 1Malaysia
welcome song by 60 schoolchildren, and a welcoming dance by maestro Ramli
Ibrahim.
After the cultural show, Najib and Manmohan were presented with golden shawls
by Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal
Abidin. Both leaders were also garlanded with flowers by his deputy, M.
Saravanan.
The 'Little India' project is Najib's brainchild. In April last year, less than
24 hours after being sworn in as prime minister, he went on a walkabout to meet
the people in Brickfields.
In his remarks, Najib said Manmohan's presence at the event signified the deep
desire to bring Kuala Lumpur and New Delhi relations to greater heights, not
only in the context of government-to-government which was moving positively but
also "the relations touch the hearts of many people living in Malaysia and in
this area of Brickfields".
He said the visit was also significant because it was a very strong
indication that the relations were growing stronger and stronger, encompassing many
areas.
Najib said the event was of special significance to the people of
Brickfields as this was part and parcel of the government's urban renewal.
"We want to showcase the dynamism, vibration and the progress of
Brickfields...Brickfields got particular charm...nice eating places. Above all, the
government has made good its pledges to re-develop Brickfields," he said.
Najib said the government also decided to develop this area as 'Litte India'
because Brickfields was a nice area but was losing its shine.
Najib said that today's ceremony was a new beginning for Brickfields.
"Brickfields will never be the same...a new Brickfields to showcase to the
world...a 'Little India' in Malaysia," he said.
Meanwhile, Manmohan, in his speech, said that Malaysia represented the very best
of Asia.
"It is diverse and simply beautiful...home to the people of different ethnics,
religions and background," he said, adding that Malaysia set the example for
tolerant, harmonious and peaceful co-existence.
"This is precisely what we are trying to do back home in India," he said.
He said Malaysian Indians made important contributions to the development of
Malaysia and excelled in many areas of professionalism.
"The decision to develop this 'Little India'...is a tribute to the
contribution of all Malaysians of Indian origin in developing this country," he said.
Thanking Najib for conceiving such a great idea, Manmohan said that under
Najib's leadership, Malaysia had entered a new era of progress and prosperity.
In years to come, he said India-Malaysia relationship was poised for significant
expansion.
After Manmohan left, Najib spent a few minutes walking in the area, only to be
given a rousing welcome by thousands of people gathered there.
Raja Nong Chik, in his speech, said that a memorandum of understanding between
Malaysia and India on the establishment of Sister-City relationship between
Kuala Lumpur and Chennai was approved in principle, and scheduled to be signed
in Kuala Lumpur, by the end of next month.
-- BERNAMA
