Sarawak Tribune - Saturday, 5 October 2002
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WELLINGTON (New Zealand) - Minister of Tourism Dato Sri Abang Johari Wednesday morning handed over prizes for the Merdeka Golf Tournament in New Zealand to the Malaysian High Commissioner in New Zealand Dato' Zulkifly Abd Rahman in his office.
The annual tournament is an eagerly-awaited event amongst die-hard local golf enthusiasts.
It is organised by the Malaysian High Commission in New Zealand under the chairmanship of the education attaché, A. Halim Ismail, with the assistance of a Sibu-born Kiwi David Lai.
Participation is by invitation only and among them are the foreign embassy staff, Malaysian residents in New Zealand and Malaysia-born businessmen.
This year's tournament is scheduled to start today (Friday), weather permitting, otherwise it will be held on 1 November.
 HAVE GREAT TOURNAMENT ... Abang Johari (third from left) handing over prizes to Zulkifli while Amin (second from left) and Lee (second from right) watch. At extreme left is Halim. |
Halim said: "We see greater participation this year, 94, against 80 last year, proof that the tournament is very popular and that many people are queuing to get themselves invited."
According to him, the tournament is part of the National Day programmes and a way to promote tourism and trade between the two countries.
Prizes for the tournament and lucky draws are sponsored by Sarawak Tourism Board, MAS and a number of Malaysian companies and agencies operating in New Zealand.
Among those accompanying Abang Johari during the visit to the Malaysian High Commission were the honorary consul for NZ in Sarawak Datuk Amin Satem and Senadin Assemblyman Lee Kim Shin.
Later in the evening a presentation by cultural troupe from Sarawak Cultural Village performed to a packed audience during a dinner hosted by the Sarawak State Govt at Duxton Hotel Wellington.