The premiere screening of “The Voice of Malaysia” was successfully held on 26th May (Thursday) at the China Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur, while this documentary series which covers the history, culture, customs and humanity of Malaysia will be broadcasted online biweekly starting from 2nd June (Thursday).

The six-episode documentary series, “The Voice of Malaysia” is jointly presented by China Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur and China-ASEAN Business Association (CABA), and produced by “theinterview.asia”. The documentary is also supported by Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia and Embassy of The People’s Republic of China in Malaysia.

Speaking at the premiere screening of “The Voice of Malaysia”, H.E. Ouyang Yujing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Malaysia praised that, the documentary is a brave attempt which innovatively integrated literature with history, folk culture, scenery and local cuisine.

“It provides the audience with a unique approach to appreciate the profound and extensive aspect of this charming country. Not only could we know more about Malaysia as a country featuring diversity, vigour, inclusiveness and harmony, but also, we may experience the integrated culture and continuing vitality here from a new perspective and be again deeply impressed by the beauty of Malaysia,” H.E. Ouyang Yujing added.

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Dr. Santhara J.P., Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia said, the documentary series has its great meaning to Malaysia, which can promote the multiracial and multi-cultural of Malaysia to the world, especially China and ASEAN countries.

“While Malaysia and China will celebrate the 48th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship end of this month, we would further strengthen our friendship and bridging each other through this event; thus, it will also convey a better information and perspective of Malaysia to people out there, there after fascinate more people from foreign countries to visit Malaysia, as we are on the transition to the endemic,” Datuk Seri Santhara said.

Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025), government has set a target of 24.3 million international tourist arrivals with a contribution of RM73 billion in receipts by the year 2025, and a total revenue of RM100 billion from domestic tourists.

Besides, Tan Sri Lim Gait Tong, president of CABA explained, the Malaysian literary works selected in the series, as well as the beautiful scenes and unique customs of Malaysia, perfectly reflect the multicultural characteristics of Malaysia, which also includes the cultural exchange and mutual integration, fully shows that Malaysian people are peace lovers, and also have the determination to face challenges and overcome all difficulties together.

“The stable development of a society is inseparable from political stability, economic development, cultural prosperity, strong education, sound ecology and harmony among the people. There is a close connection between culture, education and economic, trade. The stable development of economy requires mutual understanding in culture, while promoting the development of culture requires economic support. In addition to promoting the economic and trade development between China and ASEAN, CABA also attaches great importance to the culture and education, because only by connecting the people together, we can achieve the greater succeed in economic development,” Tan Sri Lim further said on his speech.

“The Voice of Malaysia” is co-hosted by Tai Hsiao Hua, the well-known Chinese author in Malaysia, and Owen Yap, the famous TV anchor. The series was filmed in 5 featured cities across Malaysia, namely Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Klang, and Kajang, while the literary works of 16 Malaysian authors, including SN Datuk Seri A. Samad Said, Datuk Dr. Siti Zainon Ismail, Tai Hsiao Hua, Looi Yook Tho, Teoh Chee Keong, Jomy Yaw, Hu Qing Chao, Zeng Zhen, and others were selected.

During the premiere screening, the first episode of the series with the title “Discovering Malacca” is shown. Malacca Dynasty is what Malaysian first studied during the history class. Malacca is the beginning of Malay dynasty, and it also opens the first chapter in the colonial history of Malaysia. Going back to the past, history has left a magnificent cultural colour for Malacca; moving forward to the next 500 years, how will history interpret Malacca? This will be the theme of the first episode.

Mr Zhang Jiexin, the Director of China Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur mentioned in his speech that the centre is actively working on cultural exchange between China and Malaysia. The centre always hopes to present and spread Malaysian literature through online media. As such, the production of “The Voice of Malaysia” fulfilled the above-mentioned wish, which presented Malaysia’s history, culture, and changes over time with an artistic way by combining the literature with audio visual.

“The culture of Malaysia and China are connected, and the memory is required to be written in literature. The meaningful literary works had recorded what was seen, thought, and felt in those days, it is the most genuine memory of that era.”

On the other hand, Madam Tai Hsiao Hua, Chairman of the Culture and Education Development Committee of CABA, also sharing her experience to be the host and planner of the series. She mentioned that, the series not only covers the scenery and food of Malaysia but also involves the history, culture, customs, and cultural heritage of Malaysia, and the innovative content would definitely impress the local, as well as the oversea audience.

“We have set up a ‘literature selection group’ for the documentary series to search for literature works with Malaysian customs, and also the works that can present the harmony, beauty, culture, and heritage of Malaysia. For instance, the poem titled “Living Together” (Hidup Bersama) by SN Datuk Seri A. Samad Said, which described the beauty and harmony during the independence of Malaysia, should be the core idea we need to spread, and we hope that this could inspire the audience, making them recall the good times when all the ethnics were living together happily and united,” Tai Hsiao Hua expressed.

The guests who attended the premiere screening also included Wang Qijie, CEO of China Construction Bank Malaysia Bhd, Dato’ Teh Eng Hin, representative of Shandong Farlim Group Bhd, Dato Sri Lim Chin Fui, Managing Director of Five Petroleum Sdn Bhd, Datuk Wira Gan Tian Loo, and Owen Yap, the co-host of the series.

In order to reach a wider audience, “The Voice of Malaysia” will be streamed on multiple online platforms, including the Facebook page and YouTube channel of the “China Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur”, the Facebook page and YouTube channel of “The Interview”, and the Facebook page of the “China-ASEAN Business Association”. For more details on the program, please visit the or the official website of the China Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur or official website of “The Interview” .

In order to reach a wider audience, “The Voice of Malaysia” will be streamed on multiple online platforms, including the Facebook page and YouTube channel of the “China Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur”, the Facebook page and YouTube channel of “The Interview”, and the Facebook page of the “China-ASEAN Business Association”.