Malaysia’s Cuban connection

ALMOST half a century ago, the Republic of Cuba and Malaysia established diplomatic relations. For 45 years, mutual respect has characterised these links that are called to transcend time.

Although both countries began to officially relate in the 1970s, since 1963 commercial contacts began to be put in place between Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok and the young government of the island for the purchase of sugar, Cuba’s main export at that time.

Amid the so-called “Cold War” the membership of Cuba and Malaysia in the Non-Aligned Movement – based on the principles of maintaining national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of its members – united the two countries.

Thus, both governments decided to establish diplomatic relations and in 1975, Dr Mario García Inchaustegui presented his credentials as the first Cuban ambassador to the Malaysian government, residing in Japan. Until 1977 when the fateful plane crash in Tajung Kupang, Johor, took his life, Dr Inchaustegui was responsible for ensuring the development of the bilateral relationship, which would evolve qualitatively over time.

After several exchanges of delegations, in 1997, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (in his first tenureship) made an official visit to Cuba after being extended an invitation by former Cuban President Fidel Castro. This marked a new phase in bilateral relations. At that time, at the will of both governments, important agreements on economic and technical cooperation were signed along with those promoting people-to-people ties. Cuba had the privilege of receiving Dr Mahathir again in 2000 and in 2008.

In 1997, Cuba opened its embassy in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia reciprocated in 2001, after successfully withstanding the Asian financial crisis. Expressing admiration for the progress made by Malaysia under the leadership of Dr Mahathir, Fidel Castro visited Malaysia in 2001 and then 2003 for the Noal (Non-Aligned Movement) Summit under the Malaysian presidency.

The exchanges of high-level delegations – chaired by First Vice President Raúl Castro Ruz in 2005, Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2006, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla in 2010 and Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman in 2015 –nourished links in education, health, biotechnology, sports and culture.

Within the framework of

established cooperation, Cuba

had the privilege of training about 30 Malaysian youth as doctors. Today many of them are in the country, incorporated into the local health system and others wait to take the regulatory exams that allow them to demonstrate what they have learned and serve the Malaysian people.

In the biotechnology sector, the company Bioven de Malaysia and CIMAB SA de Cuba, are collaborating in clinical trials for the CIMAvax-EGF vaccine against lung cancer. Also, the Agro Supplies company obtained the registration in Malaysia of the biolarvicide Bactivec, produced by the Cuban company Labiofam, for the control of mosquito larvae.

For its part, Malaysia received and continues to receive Cuban specialists and officials in the framework of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme. The country also imported Cuban vaccines against hepatitis B through the private company, DNA Biosciences.

Without a doubt, the people- to-people exchanges have been fruitful all these years. As a result, in 2005, the Association of Friendship with Cuba (Foca) was established with the aim of promoting Cuban culture and business, and it continues to be a reference for those interested in knowing more about Cuba.

With the work of the organisation and the support of the embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian public has been able to appreciate parts of Cuba’s cultural heritage through music, dance, the visual arts – and also the tasting of excellent Habanos, of course.

The physical distance, 17,500km, is a fact but Malaysian tourists are increasingly travelling to Cuba. We expect the number to increase in the future.

At 45 years, there is a pathway travelled, but together we can do more. The possibilities are endless and the potential remains unexplored. As long ago as 1995, (now Tun) Daim Zainuddin, then an economic advisor to the government, travelled to Cuba and after what he witnessed, he called on Malaysian entrepreneurs to travel to the island and to document business and investment opportunities. Now, 25 years have passed.

The Cuban government remains firm in its willingness to work with Malaysia for a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship. The update of the Cuban economic model offers countless possibilities for everything from trade and cooperation to entrepreneurs in both countries.

Cuba appreciates the accompaniment of Malaysia in the fight against the blockade and acknowledges the high level of coincidence in multilateral forums where the willingness of both countries to proclaim a fairer world, to respect the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, was on show.

Let’s celebrate 45 years of friendship with jubilation and also with the conviction that ties can be strengthened more and more.

IBETE FERNÁNDEZ HERNANDEZ

Ambassador of the

Republic of Cuba to Malaysia