SPEECH BY H.E. MOENIR ARI SOENANDA,
INDONESIAN CONSUL GENERAL AT INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL NIGHTS ORGANIZED BY PPI UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA
Sintok, Kedah, 9 September 2007


It is indeed delighted and very proud for me to be invited and as well as to be asked to deliver a speech in this very excellent and meaningful event “ the International Cultural Night “. The event that organized by International Students Association of UUM including Indonesians Student Association ( PPI UUM ) is really good exercise for students of UUM to cooperate together organizing marvelous cultural event that has very positive impact for their respective country. Habit for cooperation among students especially from this region is of cource need to be appreciated.

I have confidence that fostering culture will be able to deepen understanding especially among international students of this University. This is also considered as a process of mutual enrichments. The meaning of culture itself is very complex and through cultural can be sent the message of friendship, peace and morality. Culture is indeed fundamental to the life of the people. Culture reflects a dignity and makes us truly human being. For that reason, the civilized nations has very much appreciation to every culture.

The moment of the International Cultural Nights is also very appropriate. Just few days ago both Malaysia and Indonesia celebrated Independent Day, 17 th August for Indonesia and 31 August for Malaysia. This is indeed romantic years knowing that between Malaysia and Indonesia is serumpun seirama. We share many common values and traditions. We both proud nations, proud of our history. All this brings us even closer as neigbours and as fellow members of ASEAN family.