KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Around 250 Filipinos and Malaysians came together over the weekend of August 13 for a concert to celebrate the presidency of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Performances from the Filipino community headlined by Davao-born singer Kris Patt were featured at the concert. The event was organised by Marcus Francis, head of record label Melody United and Datuk George Gerald.
In his welcome remarks, Francis stressed their group’s admiration for the Philippines’ President. “There are hardcore supporters and admirers of President Duterte here in Malaysia, and we would like to collectively convey our support to and solidarity with the President,” he said.
Datuk Gerald meanwhile shared to some members of the audience that on their news blog, BestofBKL, news regarding the Philippine president is one of its most popular topics. The blog's airings of his speeches garner so many views from locals.
Also present at the event were high-ranking Philippine government officials, namely. Philippine Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, Secretary for Interior and Local Government Ismael Sueño, Chair of the Implementing Panel for the Peace Process Irene Santiago, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon. They were in Kuala Lumpur for the launch of the Implementing Panel for the Bangsamoro agreements.
Dureza was called to the stage to speak about Duterte and he shared funny anecdotes about their days as students. Dureza also received a two-foot high replica of the Petronas Twin Towers from the organisers and the Filipino community on behalf of Duterte.
Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya, who was also at the event, lauded the organizers and the Filipino community for coming together to hold the event. He said it showed unity and fostered friendship among different nationalities.
“The enthusiasm of the attendees indicate that the priorities and programs of President Duterte resonate not only among Filipinos but also among Malaysians and other nationals,” Malaya said.
“No Philippine leader has energized and electrified Filipinos and foreigners alike since Ramon Magsaysay in the 1950s, and we are fortunate to have a transformational leader now in the person of Rodrigo Duterte,” he added.
Overseas Absentee Voters in Malaysia voted overwhelmingly for Duterte in the recent elections. Out of the 3,055 voters, 2,275 were for Duterte, which was 74.46% of the total votes cast in Malaysia. - Rappler.com