Learning about Sekinchan’s success

(From left) Dr Andrew, Aroi and Ng sampling some love letters made by local residents, one of the many cottage industries in the town.

IT was the first meeting between the two but Selangor Speaker Ng Suee Lim and Nauru official Michael Aroi were like old friends as they discussed their respective nations.

Aroi, who is Nauru’s Foreign Affairs & Trade Department secretary, made time recently to visit Ng at his constituency, Sekinchan.

He was in Malaysia to make arrangements for Nauru president Baron Divavesi Waqa’s possible visit here soon.

Aroi wanted to learn how the town was generating income for its residents through various cottage industries.

“I was told how prosperous Selangor was and how Sekinchan, which was once a sleepy farming town, had become a tourist attraction,’’ said Aroi.

He added Nauru was looking at new income streams as its main phosphate mining industry was in decline.

“The amount of phosphate is depleting and we are thinking of ways of getting our people involved in industries to generate income,’’ he added.

(From left) Ng, Dr Andrew and Aroi at one of the many padi fields in Sekinchan.

Aroi was impressed with the many cottage industries he visited in Sekinchan and said it was something he would discuss with his government.

He added that Nauru had many similarities with Malaysia including beautiful beaches as well as a wide variety of seafood.

Ng said it was a good meeting and Aroi had shown much interest in Selangor.

“We talked about how cottage industries can make people self-sufficient and how it can be implemented,’’ said Ng.

He also told Aroi that arrangements could be made for a Nauru delegation to visit Selangor.

“Maybe their Speaker can visit us at the State Legislative Assembly as well,’’ added Ng.

Ng (left) treating Aroi to a seafood feast.

Aroi, who was accompanied by Nauru’s honorary consul to Malaysia Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj, had also called upon Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob during his trip.

Dr Andrew, who is engaged as a consultant psychiatrist and offshore medical director for mental health by the Australian government, was invited by Nauru to represent the nation here.

He provides mental health support to refugees and asylum seekers in the offshore processing centre set up by Australia on the island.

Nauru, formerly known as Pleasant Island, is located amongst the Central Pacific islands.