Britons amazed by Malaysia's diversity.

Date: 9 October 2012

Britons amazed by Malaysia's diversity.

LONDON: The Malaysia Week 2012 in London at South Bank here not only provides visitors with an opportunity to experience the unique and diverse Malaysian culture but also allows them to know the country which is famous for its diversity.

A teacher, Jackie Bishop, 46, accompanied by her husband said they had heard about Malaysia but had never been to the country. "The programme is amazing, fantastic. Never been to Malaysia but we heard about it. It seems really nice and lovely to see so many things that we did not know. We would love to go to Malaysia one day," she told Malaysian reporters, here yesterday.

Jackie, who tried the rojak buah with her husband, George Bishop, 55, also praised the beauty of the Malaysian batik. Asked whether South Bank was a strategic location to hold such an event, she said it was the right place since the place was always packed with people.

Traditional kebaya maker Lim Swee Kim's foot pedal sewing machine has been a hit with visitors to Malaysia Week 2012 here. The 79-year-old, who is certified as a mentor by the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia) for the traditional kebaya, an embroidered blouse-dress combination, when met by Malaysian journalists, said she was very happy with the visitors' response.

"They see the machine as special because they have never seen it before, particularly the younger generation. The English people are less inclined (about the dress), probably because they have no idea how to put it on, as compared with Italians and Germans who are quite familiar with it." She was among 113 participants of the programme to promote Malaysia.

The event, organised by the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry with the cooperation of the Tourism Ministry and Matrade, started on Saturday and ends tomorrow.

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