Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Malaysian Embassy held the Malaysia Gastronomy Truly Asia event in Jakarta to promote cultural ties and attract more Indonesian tourists to Malaysia. The event showcased Malaysia’s signature culinary offerings and aimed to strengthen bilateral relations.
Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia, Dato’ Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, revealed that as of October 2024, 3 million Indonesian tourists had visited Malaysia, approaching the total of 3.1 million visitors recorded in 2023.
Hasrin hoped that the number of Indonesian tourists could return to pre-pandemic levels, reaching 3.6 million. He emphasized that introducing Malaysia’s distinctive cuisine is an effective form of soft diplomacy. “Food, as we know, transcends borders. It is a universal language that unites people from diverse backgrounds. Malaysia shares its soul with the world through gastronomy,” he remarked.
The dishes presented at the event reflected Malaysia’s diversity, blending Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indonesian flavors. One featured dish was Penang Asam Laksa, an iconic dish ranked 7th in an Indonesian media outlet’s list of the world’s best foods.
Penang Asam Laksa combines rice noodles, mackerel fish, pineapple slices, and daun kesum (Vietnamese coriander), representing the fusion of Malay, Chinese, and Peranakan traditions. Another highlight was Penang Popiah Basah, a wet spring roll filled with sweet radish, shrimp, tofu, and fermented peanut paste.
Ambassador Hussin also hoped to increase tourism between Malaysia and Indonesia through culinary exchanges. He stated, “We hope that through Malaysian cuisine, this gastronomic diplomacy will contribute to the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia. With programs like this, we aim to delight the palate and open hearts, encouraging more visits to Malaysia and strengthening the bond between the two nations.”
According to the ambassador, from January to October 2024, 3 million Indonesian tourists had already visited Malaysia. “We hope this number will increase. At the same time, Malaysian visitors remain among the largest groups traveling to Indonesia,” he concluded.