In December 2008 Datuk SK. Lingam (SK) was nominated and summoned by the former High Commissioner for Malaysia, His Excellency Dato’ Aziz to lead Malaysian Link UK (MLUK). SK was the Founding member and Chairman of Malaysian Link UK (MLUK) since 2008 till present 2018.
MLUK’s brief was to promote and provide an informed perceptive on the political, economic and trade issues and enhancing the UK and Malaysia bi-lateral relations. His Excellency Dato Aziz felt there was an urgent and dire need for such an organisation in the light of negative perceptions in 2008 on Malaysia in the UK resulting from early day motions passed in the British Parliament over the Hindraf issue; this was also compounded by the strong criticisms and condemnation of our country and leadership by members of PKR when they visited the UK.
The idea behind Malaysian Link UK (MLUK) is to create on-going warm relations between us, the Malaysian Diaspora, and the British politicians, media and corporate sectors thus ensuring that Malaysia is always in the British radar screen albeit in a positive light.
A sample of a few events which MLUK have organised and sponsored from 2008 till 2017
(1) In furtherance of MLUK’s primary objective, on the 17th March 2009, MLUK organised a social and business networking session with the Conservative Business Relations (CBR) and our former High Commissioner Dato Aziz graciously hosted the reception & SK Chaired the event. At that time the conservatives were the opposition party. We felt in the impending British elections the Tories may form the next government, hence it was imperative to engage with the Conservatives.
The Reception was held at Malaysia High Commission, 45/46 Belgravia Square, London SWlX 8QT on 17th March 2009. At this event, 4 Shadow Cabinet Ministers from the Conservative Party attended this event, including the then Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party, were present. Two of them gave a short address which was preceded by Dato Aziz’s our former High Commissioner’s robust address. Three (3) of them were appointed in the British Cabinet and the Government was led by The Rt. Hon David Cameron, following the conservatives’ victory in the elections. This CBR event was attended by 91 delegates, from the Conservative Business Relations membership and selected professional members from the Malaysian Diaspora. Suffice to say, it was on this day we laid the foundations of UK and Malaysia warm relations. It is no exaggeration that SK and MLUK were personally instrumental in re-igniting this renewed UK & Malaysia close friendship.
(2) On the 6th February 2009, I was the chief architect of a letter which we at MLUK wrote to about 86 British Parliamentarians on both Houses of Parliament in the – a copy of that letter was also sent to our then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato’ Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim. The Rt. Hon. Foreign Minister responded with his appreciation remarks on 3rd April 2009.
(3)Under MLUK we published an MLUK newsletter commemorating Her Majesty’s Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee and marking the then British Prime Ministers visit to Malaysia.
(4) Dialogue Session and Lunch held at the Intercontinental Hotel in London on 4th October 2000. This dialogue session was with Tun Mahathir and the attendees were from the ASEAN and British Private & Public Sector.
(5) Selangor Seminar held at St. Thomas ’ House, St Thomas ’ Square, and Newport, the UK on 15th November 2000
(6) Dialogue Session on Selangor and Malaysia Trade, Investment and Tourism held at Marriott Hotel, Portsmouth on 18th June 2008
(7) Dialogue Session on Selangor and Malaysia trade, Investment and Tourism held at Marriott Hotel, Edinburgh, on 22nd October 2009.
(8) Dialogue Session – Malaysia ’s response to New Global Challenges held at Chatham House – London on 11th June 2008. Our then DPM, the Rt. Hon. Dato Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak gave this address. This event was strictly sponsored by MLUK in collaboration with Chatham House and with the support of our then High Commissioner H.E Dato Aziz. YAB was our then Deputy PM, YAB ’s speech at Chatham House was well received. The moderator and Chairman was Sir. Charles Masefield. YAB made history as YAB was the first & only Malaysian leader to speak at this prestigious Chatham House (Royal Society of International Affairs), until then.
(9) Spotlight on Malaysia, Singapore & Vietnam – Business Opportunities & the Investment Climate held at Radisson Edwardian, Heathrow Hotel, on Monday, 24th May 2010. SK as Chairman MLUK gave a talk at this seminar on Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. MIDA London helped to provide the slide on the Malaysia presentation.
(10) Doing Business in Malaysia, held at Oslo Handelskammer,Henrik Ibsensgate 100, Indekshuset 2. on 14th September 2010. SK as Chairman of MLUK was invited to speak at this event. MIDA representative covering Scandinavia was there too.
(11)Asli Talent Conference – Malaysian Diaspora and Talents, held at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, 106, Piccadilly, W1J 7NL ) on 6th October 2010. This event was organised under MLUK in collaboration with Asia Strategy Leadership Institute (ASLI). ISK chaired and moderated this event.
(12) MLUK with Dato’ Siddiq Firdaus Mohd Ali, – Ambassador Embassy of Malaysia – Dublin organised a Malaysian conference in Dublin.
(13) In the past, MLUK has been instrumental in making written representations to members of the British Parliament on matters that affected the image of Malaysia. A copy of a 22 pages letter was also forwarded to MP’s in the British Parliament and a copy of that 22 pages letter was also sent to our then Foreign Minister Dato Seri Utama Rais Yatim. On the 8th April 2009 – Letter from the then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Dato Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim indicating his praise for the 22 page letter which SK under MLUK wrote together with colleagues at Malaysia Link UK to 86 British Parliamentarian on the Hindraf, Visa issues and a robust defence of the Malaysian Government and it’s leadership. An original copy of both the letters is still in MLUK’s files.
(14) 18th August 2009 – a testimonial from Anderson K. Chibwa – High Commissioner – Office of the High Commissioner for the Republic of Zambia – London. His Excellency Anderson Chibwa subsequently became the First High Commissioner of Zambia to Malaysia. The High Commissioner thanked MLUK for its immense contribution to promoting Malaysia into Zambia and during SK’s visit to Zambia for one week, which was financed by SK, he met with several cabinet Ministers including the then Vice President and the President of Zambia. SK as Chairman of Malaysian Link UK also gave talks to the business community in Zambia sharing with them the Malaysian experience. All the politicians there spoke very highly of our then Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamed and for each one of the Ministers; SK gave them a book entitled ‘A New Deal for Asia’ – Mahathir Mohamed. They were most appreciative of this gift.
(15) In Jan 2013 under Malaysian Link UK Chaired & Organised talk by Datuk Dr Denison at the Malaysian High Commission – hosted by our then Deputy High Commissioner – Wan. The event was conducted in a highly friendly & spirited manner with participants with supporting & opposing views;
(16) Also under Malaysian Link, SK as the Chairman has given several talks in the UK, on Malaysia covering aspects on Political & Socio-Economic issues on Malaysia. SK as Chairman of MLUK appeared live on BBC World News defending the Malaysian leadership & the outcome/fairness of the last Malaysian General Elections;
(17) MLUK arranged a speaking engagement for CEO of Pemandu Dato Idris to members of the Malaysian Diaspora in the UK at the Royal Garden Hotel. The event was sponsored by MLUK.
(18) SK Co-ordinated a meeting with MLUK for the Malaysian Minister of Energy over Tea at the Royal Garden Hotel;
(19) Under MLUK arranged a private discourse session over breakfast at the Royal Garden Hotel, with our then Foreign Minister The Hon Dato Anifah;
(20) In November 2013, MLUK Sponsored & SK Chaired a Talk by Tun Zaki on the: “The Malaysian Judiciary – Negative perceptions & the Independence of the Judiciary in Malaysia” under the “Distinguished Speakers Program” in November 2013, at the House of Lords-event hosted by Lord McNally, British Minister of State for Justice & leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords. About 80 delegates attended- mostly young Malaysians and from members of the British legal fraternity. It was an excellent discourse & Tun was in supreme form.
(21) Organised with colleagues at MLUK & Chaired a Tea reception with YAB our PM as a guest of Honour at the House of Lords with the RT. Hon Hugo Swire, Minister of State at the Foreign Office. At this reception, we organised the surprise birthday cake cutting to commemorate our PM’s 60th Birthday;
(22) In November 2013 under Malaysian Link UK in Collaboration with Kelab UMNO London we organised a talk on “The Importance of Islamic Finance with Dr Aly Khorshid.” It was well attended & there was active participation from the attendees consisting of members of the Malaysian Diaspora including students.
(23) In October 2014, SK under MLUK organised, Chaired & part Sponsored the 1Malaysia Deepavali event where YAB our former PM & Datin Seri Paduka Rosmah were our guests of honour. This gave an opportunity for YAB to connect & engage with the Malaysian Indian diaspora – which went down well.
(24) Malaysia- UK Forum- 12th November 2015 This was organised and sponsored jointly by MLUK and ASLI. The Hon Dato Mah Siew Keong, Minister in PM’s Department Malaysia delivered the keynote speech on empowering business opportunities in Malaysia. The event was held at the Royal Garden Hotel. Kensington, London and was attended by well over 200 attendees.
MALAYSIA-UK DIAMOND JUBILEE FORUM – 14th September 2017
This flagship event was jointly organised by MLUK and ASLI with the collaboration and support from our then High Commissioner His Excellency Dato Rasidi and Wahida Director MIDA as well as Khairul Director MATRADE and Shari Director Tourism Malaysia. The event was held at the Hotel Park City Grand Plaza, which is a Malaysian owned. The Hon Richard Graham MP, the British PM’s Trade Envoy and Tan Sri Wahid Omar, Chairman PNB both delivered keynote speeches. Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, CEO ASLI gave the opening welcome remarks.
Shareena, MLUK’s Deputy Chairman was the Emcee for this event. Jefferi Ramli MLUK committee member gave a rendition of the Malaysian National Anthem. Jefferi has appeared on the BBC’s Voice and has recently released a single- The Honourable Dato’ Yunus Raiss, a senior prominent and venerated member of the Malaysian Diaspora composed and recited a special poem. It was a fitting tribute to celebrate 60 years of Anglo- Malaysian trade relations and cordiality.