DBNA toasts Westmoreland’s ambassadorial appointment
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 at 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.
Meanwhile, Westmoreland said he would promote his Bidayuh cultural identity and traditions while serving the Agong and Malaysia in the Holy See.
Having served as a diplomat in many countries during 23 years in service, he always takes the opportunity to speak about Sarawak, the Bidayuh community and Gawai celebration to people he meets abroad.
“I am humbled and honoured to share this appointment with the entire Bidayuh community. Being part of the civil service, this appointment is part of my job.
“As a Bidayuh abroad, I am always pleased to share our cultural identity and tradition of Bidayuhs to everyone I meet,” he said.
Westmoreland, 50, started his career as Administrative and Diplomatic Officer in Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1996. He was the Consul General at Consulate General of Malaysia in Melbourne, Australia since 2015 prior to his appointment as Ambassador of Malaysia to Holy See.
He previously served as Assistant Secretary ( West Europe) from 1996 until 1999, Assistant Secretary ( Information) from 1999 to 2000 and Second Secretary at High Commission of Malaysia in the Republic of Singapore from 2000 to 2004.
He later served as First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Malaysia in the United Nations in New York, United States of America from 2004 until 2007 and Principal Assistant Secretary (America) from 2007 until 2010.
He had also served as Counselor at Embassy of Malaysia in Santiago, Chile from 2010 to 2013 and Director at Asean-Malaysia National Secretariat from 2013 to 2015.
Westmoreland received his Letter of Credence from the Yang diPertuan Agong Al- Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah with two other Heads of Mission of Malaysia in a ceremony held at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur on March 21.