Digest on Malaysian News

The Royal Malay Regiment tour of duty at Buckingham Palace has ended and upon their return to Malaysia, those soldiers will be given goodwill payment.

The British royal family are also too gracious and too courteous for commended the Royal Malay Regiment for their successful completion of the two-month public duties there.

And how convenient could it be that Najib was also at Buckingham Palace to see RMR last guard duty before flying back to Malaysia. What a waste of public fund for Najib to fly to London and see a bunch of brass band soldiers ended their guard duty.

No RMR soldier was killed or maimed during their tour of duty at Buckingham Palace and Najib must be proud of their mission. Well, I'm not.

Related post:
* Malaysia sending army for vacation to London






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British royal family happy with our men

By CHOI TUCK WO

LONDON: The British royal family has commended the Royal Malay Regiment for their successful completion of the two-month public duties here.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said this was conveyed to him by the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, during a tea reception at Buckingham Palace.

“I understand from the prince that the royal family was very proud with the regiment’s performance,” he told Malaysian journalists before witnessing the regiment’s final changing-of-the-guards ceremony at Buckingham Palace yesterday.

The regiment will take part in another ceremonial duty at Windsor Castle today, before flying home on Sunday.

A total of 122 personnel, including a brass band, from the first battalion had arrived in April to perform public duties, which also involved guarding Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and St James Palace.

Najib also announced a special £200 (RM1,300) token of appreciation to each of the members as goodwill payment for their successful stint here.

“You have all performed with dedication and professionalism in upholding the image of Malaysia as a modern, progressive and peace-loving country,” he told them at Wellington Barracks.

On Tuesday, the deputy prime minister opened JomMakan Restaurant – the first quick service restaurant under the Malaysia Kitchen franchise programme – in the heart of London’s West End.

He said the first JomMakan speciality restaurant had been launched in Tokyo while more outlets were expected to open in the United States and Australia.

“Malaysian food has the potential to become a global cuisine that could help put the country on the world map,” he added.

Najib said he had always wanted a quality Malaysian restaurant in London, and not one that was “tucked away in some back street in the capital”.

“And I’m so proud that I am here in this restaurant in Pall Mall, strategically placed just outside Trafalgar Square,” he said to applause from those present.

On talk of Malaysian becoming the new Thai in the London food scene, Najib said Thailand had developed a head start with many more restaurants than Malaysian ones in Britain.

He, however, believed it was never too late for Malaysia to promote its cuisine which had a lot more variety as it included Malay, Chinese and Indian food as well as those from various states.

He hoped more Malaysian entrepreneurs would apply for loans to open franchise restaurants overseas such as in London where the people liked to eat out.