A high-level delegation from the Malaysian state of Perlis, led by its King, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, concluded a significant visit to Rwanda this week, expressing deep admiration for the nation’s remarkable recovery and development journey since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Accompanied by his wife, his child, and the State Mufti (Islamic religious leader) of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin arrived in Rwanda on Monday, July 21st. The delegation’s primary mission was to understand Rwanda’s history, particularly its rapid reconstruction and nation-building efforts in the 31 years following the genocide, and to explore its future trajectory.
A poignant moment of the visit was the delegation’s tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi. They paid respects to the victims of the 1994 tragedy, explored the memorial’s exhibits, and received detailed briefings on the history and consequences of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
“The history we learned about the Genocide was deeply affecting,” said Syafina Nasiri Seceonf, an official from the Malaysian Embassy in Nairobi, which oversees relations with Rwanda. “But we are truly impressed by how Rwanda has developed since emerging from those difficult times.”
Seceonf highlighted the delegation’s key takeaway: “You see that Rwandans are united and strive for a better life. We were impressed by how Rwanda, which had been shattered, managed to rebuild itself rapidly in just the past 31 years.” She added, “I think it’s not only African countries that should learn from Rwanda, but every country, including Malaysia.”
Beyond the memorial, the delegation toured key infrastructure sites, including Amahoro Stadium and the BK Arena, and visited various locations in Kigali focused on business and investment opportunities. They engaged in substantive discussions with several Rwandan institutions, including the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) agency, and the Rwanda Muslim Community (RMC).
A concrete outcome of the visit was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Royal Court of Perlis and the RMC. This agreement paves the way for the Perlis royalty to provide scholarships for Rwandan students to pursue higher education in Malaysia, facilitated through the RMC.
The delegation also consistently praised Rwanda’s cleanliness, security, the integrity (‘ubupfura’) of its people, and the general kindness they encountered.
Munyakazi Sadate, an investment expert with close ties to the Malaysian delegates, played a role in facilitating the visit. “Because they are my friends,” Munyakazi explained, “it was essential for me to encourage them to come to Rwanda to see the history the country went through and the progress that has been achieved.”
When asked about potential future Malaysian investments in Rwanda, Munyakazi indicated that discussions are ongoing. “As we continue discussions and coordination, we will explore potential opportunities for cooperation,” he stated, suggesting that economic collaboration could be a focus of future engagement following this foundational visit.
