Association celebrates appointment of Westmoreland as Ambassador to Holy See
KUCHING: Ambassador-Designate of Malaysia to the Holy See, Westmoreland Edward Palon and wife Elvinna Luhum were treated to a dinner by Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) on Thursday night in celebration of his appointment.
Westmoreland, from Kampung Duras, is the fourth Bidayuh appointed as High Commissioner/ Ambassador, following in the footsteps of retired diplomat Datuk John Tenewi Nuek who had served as Ambassador to Venezeula from 2000 to 2004, current Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gloria Tiwet and Malaysian Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Hendy Assan.
The couple will fly to the Vatican at the end of this month to take up his appointment which will also cover the countries of Malta and Albania.
DBNA chief advisor Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong presented Westmoreland with a traditional Bidayuh vest and headgear, while Elvinna received a traditional scarf from Datin Sri Mary Manyin.
Also present at the dinner held in DBNA headquarters were Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Opar assemblyman Dato Ranum Mina, Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, political secretaries to the chief minister Dr Simon Sinang Bada and Charles Chad Nissom, Sarawak Planning Unit director Buckland Bangik and DBNA president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik.
Making up the crowd in the dinner organised by DBNA Women Branch were DBNA supreme council members and branch chairmen and Bidayuh Graduates Association supreme council.
Manyin who is also Education, Science and Technological Research Minister said in his speech that the Bidayuh community is really proud of Westmoreland.
He said to have four Bidayuhs in ambassadorial or high commissioner positions is recognition of their talents and abilities despite the community being smaller in numbers.