His radiant smile immediately puts people at ease and can transform any social gathering. His warmth and humour are infectious, bringing a touch of levity to every situation. Exuding positivity in both photographs and in person, His Excellency Shazryll Zahiran, the Malaysian Ambassador to Bahrain, perfectly embodies his nation’s vibrancy. A familiar face on the Bahraini social scene, Ambassador Shazryll has been instrumental in strengthening relations between Bahrain and Malaysia.
In an exclusive interview, Life N Style delved deeper into these historical ties and explored different facets of Ambassador Shazyrll’s expressive personality.
A Royal Bond
The deep bonds between the two nations were brilliantly showcased by the exceptionally warm and gracious reception His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa received when he visited Malaysia to grace the grand coronation of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar at the majestic Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur. The ceremony which was televised live was steeped in Malay culture and pageantry.
Upon arrival at the Balai Rong Seri Hall at Istana Negara, His Majesty King Hamad was greeted by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, and the Bahraini national anthem was played.
His Majesty King Hamad then met His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, extending heartfelt congratulations and wishing him health, happiness, and success in his royal duties for the progress and prosperity of Malaysia and its people.
His Majesty King Hamad praised the strong historical relations between Bahrain and Malaysia, highlighting their commitment to enhancing cooperation and joint efforts to serve the interests of both nations and their peoples.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim thanked His Majesty King Hamad for attending the coronation, he lauded His Majesty King Hamad’s efforts to strengthen Bahraini-Malaysian relations, wishing him good health and continued prosperity for the people of Bahrain.
The ceremony began with the entry of HM Sultan Ibrahim and his consort into the Balai Rong Seri Hall. The Holy Quran was presented to HM Sultan Ibrahim, followed by a welcoming speech from Prime Minister HE Anwar Ibrahim. HM Sultan Ibrahim then received the state sword, took the oath, and addressed the distinguished guests. The Malaysian national anthem was played, and a 21-gun salute was fired in honour of the newly coronated monarch.
The ceremony was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying HM King Hamad, Malaysian regional sultans, senior guests, and Malaysian government officials.
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with a unique arrangement where the throne changes hands every five years between the rulers of the nine Malaysian states headed by centuries-old Islamic royalty.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who received HM the King when he landed in Malaysia said, “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Malaysia-Bahrain relations. We believe that this milestone will provide more opportunities to foster cooperation and friendship in various fields, beyond just economic cooperation, including sharing experiences related to the global Islamic banking sector”.
Against the backdrop of this historic occasion, Ambassador Shazyrll Zahiran spoke about the most promising areas for strengthening cooperation between the two nations. “Malaysia and Bahrain have a lot of things that are similar – culture, traditions, over the last 50 years we definitely learned a lot from each other. From my perspective, I see a strong opportunity for collaboration with Bahrain on industrial growth.
Malaysia’s experience in fostering a thriving Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector could be invaluable for Bahrain. As a developing nation, Malaysia’s economic success has been largely driven by SMEs, and this expertise can be crucial for Bahrain’s own growth.
The development of small and medium industries, inspired and guided by His Majesty King Hamad and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, His Royal Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamd al Khalifa, presents a tremendous opportunity for Malaysia and Bahrain to collaborate. By working together to develop these enterprises, both nations stand to gain significant benefits, fostering a mutually advantageous partnership in the industrial sector”.
Cultural Exchange Initiatives
Malaysia boasts a unique cultural tapestry, earning it the apt nickname ‘Truly Asia’ (from their famous tourism ad jingle). This rich blend stems from the harmonious mix of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous communities. Their influence is evident in the country’s diverse languages, religions, and lively festivals. In our conversation with Ambassador Shazyrll, we explored the possibility of cultural exchange programs to further strengthen ties between our nations.
“It is definitely on our radar, showcasing Malaysian culture to the Bahrainis and vice versa as well. At present, we are focusing on programs that highlight our culture through our food. In Malaysia, food brings people together. Being multiracial as a country the food is very diverse and over the years it has become a sort of a staple in terms of promoting culture. I think this would work in Bahrain because I believe Bahrainis also love to explore different cuisines and their fusion. As a part of this initiative, we introduced a tradition from Malaysia to Bahrain during the month of Ramadan. We introduced the Ramadan Bazaar which was a resounding success”, added Ambassador Shazyrll.
The Tourism Connect
Malaysia stuns with its diverse beauty. Idyllic beaches of Langkawi and Perhentian islands, lush rainforests like Taman Negara teeming with exotic wildlife, and the misty mountains of Cameron Highlands make the country nature’s bounty. Couple that with modern Kuala Lumpur and its famous skyscrapers and ancient temples like Kek Lok Si, you have a truly unforgettable travel experience. Seeking to further strengthen tourism ties, we discussed potential avenues for promoting Malaysia’s unforgettable experiences with Ambassador Shazyrll.
“Like Bahrain, Malaysia thrives on tourism. Beyond the well-known destinations you might expect, Malaysia offers exciting new experiences for Bahraini travellers. One area of focus is health tourism. Malaysia boasts advanced medical facilities and technology, attracting patients worldwide. This might be a hidden gem for Bahraini tourists seeking high-quality healthcare.
Another unique concept is halal tourism. Don’t be misled by the name – halal tourism in Malaysia signifies a commitment to exceptional quality standards across all aspects of your experience. It goes beyond religious requirements, ensuring you receive top-notch service.
Finally, let’s explore eco-tourism. While Bahrain boasts beautiful islands, Malaysia offers a unique experience for divers. Sabah, in East Malaysia, is a world-renowned diving destination teeming with marine life. Many Bahraini tourists might not be aware of this hidden treasure, often focusing on Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, or Penang.
And of course, we are also looking at enhancing the connectivity between the two countries.”
Ambassador Shazyrll’s enthusiasm for his home country was infectious, as he animatedly told us about the sights to visit and food to try. So we had to ask him about his recommendations for Malaysian tourists in Bahrain. “Bahrain, being an island, naturally brings to mind picturesque beaches. And people should experience those, however, beyond its shores, Bahrain offers a culinary experience that I highly recommend to Malaysians. The array of Bahraini delicacies is remarkable, and I have personal favourites that I look forward to sharing.
In Malaysia, food is a central part of our culture; it’s common to start conversations by asking if someone has eaten, whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Similarly, Bahrain’s culinary offerings are sure to tantalise the Malaysian palate.
Moreover, Bahrain is renowned for its hospitality. The warmth and friendliness of the Bahraini people make it a truly welcoming destination. I am confident that Malaysians will appreciate and enjoy the genuine hospitality and delightful culinary experiences that Bahrain has to offer”.
A Beauty to Behold
The conversation somehow steers back to food and while we talked about our personal favourites we were joined by the Ambassador’s spouse Zuraina Abdul Ghani who showed us her amazing skill with crafts. She handmakes beautiful objects with paper, some of which have graced the homes of royalty.
“I’ve started crafting seriously since 2007. Being in Bahrain has given me more confidence and I have started teaching both adults and children. Sometimes I make cards or transform plain boxes into recipe boxes and more. When you give a loved one something handmade it shows your affection and has more meaning. I have made cards as gifts for Queen of Malaysia’s children, for their birthday parties and Christmas etc.”
