Kuala Lumpur. - Member of Parliament Syerleena Abdil Rashid and the Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia, Florentino Batista González, met this Wednesday to discuss topics of mutual interest.
The parliamentarian, who represents the Bukit Bendera district on the island of Penang, emphasized the importance of cultural exchange as a first step towards closer relations between the nations.
Syerleena Abdil Rashid and the Cuban diplomat, coincided in the similarities between Malaysians and Cubans in terms of multiculturalism and the importance of culture and development of the arts.
Penang, being one of Malaysia’s most significant cultural hubs with its historic centre designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, shares many resemblances and challenges with Cuba, such as heritage preservation, tourism development and climate change.