KUALA LUMPUR: It was a welcome relief for the Swiss community living here, after they renewed their acquaintances with their Malaysian friends following the two-year Covid-19 lockdown.
A reception to commemorate the Swiss National Day was held for the Swiss expatriates to continue building bridges and forge new paths with the locals.
Bangkok-based Switzerland embassy's regional consular centre head Jacques Baudevin flew in from Thailand for the celebration at the Chalet Suisse Restaurant in One Ampang Avenue.
Both the 'Negaraku' and 'Schweizerpsalm' (Swiss Psalm) national anthems were played before guests enjoyed authentic Swiss dishes and savories.
Baudevin said that the celebration was to honour the founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291, and its subsequent national day celebration on Aug 1.
To enhance better communication among the 800,000 Swiss fraternity worldwide, Baudevin said a new mobile application would be introduced soon, to keep them up-to-date with developments.
"It will also make it easier for them to communicate with Swiss representatives abroad and become ambassadors to build bridges with the international community," said Baudevin, relating the 'live' video speech from Swiss Confederation president Ignazio Cassis during the reception.
He added that following the Covid-19 pandemic, Cassis, who is also Foreign Minister, wanted his citizens to find ways to adapt with the challenging times ahead.
"The world is experiencing troubled times with regional conflicts and climate change.
"We thought those days were over but we were wrong, and we need to find solutions together," Baudevin said.
Present were prominent Swiss entrepreneurs Peter J. Sprenger and wife Suzanna Sprenger, Hansruedi Frutiger, Hanspeter Rohr and wife Tracy Rohr, Daniel Waelchli and Virginia Tan and restaurant owner Major (Rtd) Manfred J. Faehndrich.
Also there were Pietro Martucci and wife Dr Molly Cheah, Swiss-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce vice-president Pauline Goh and its administrator Jenny Chua, Swiss embassy administration-cum-liaison officer and Miss Malaysia/Universe 2000 Lynette Mei Ling Ludi, lawyer Stephanie Ting from Sarawak, Sicpa product security operations manager Kanageswaran Kamalarajan and musician Ben Mowe.