It all started when Dato Abdullah Zamawi was appointed as the Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia in August 1989 when he had dinner with a Malaysian businessman, Mr. Ting Huong Sing. Dato Zamawi mentioned that he would like to meet more Malaysians who are living and working in Jakarta. Since Ting’s business was based in Sarawak and West Kalimantan and visited Jakarta occasionally, he enlisted the help of David Wong and Robert Ting to organize a dinner party for Dato Zamawi.
The first dinner under the auspices of the Malaysian Business Community in Jakarta was held at the Hilton Hotel on October 19, 1989 where over a hundred Malaysians residing in Jakarta participated with much enthusiasm and excitement. And it was during the dinner that the idea of setting up a Malaysian Club in Jakarta was first proposed. The objective of the club then was meant to promote the interests of Malaysian business people as well as strengthening the links between Malaysian residents in Indonesia and Malaysian diplomats. With the full support of Dato Zamawi, a pro-tem committee was immediately formed and elected Ting Huong Sing as the chairman while the committee members are Dr. S. Sethu, Abubakar Tambi, Robert Ting and David Wong. The club was named the Malaysian Business Club, and held its inaugural meeting at the Indonesian Petroleum Club in Jakarta on February 17, 1990. Ting was elected president of the club, alongside nine other Malaysians to the executive committee and the Malaysia Business Club carried on for 2 years after the historic night with 30 members.
On April 21, 1992 at the third annual general meeting, a resolution was put forth by members and was unanimously passed changing the club’s name to Malaysia Club Jakarta (MJC). The intention of the name change was to reflect the widening scope of activities – including improving community and social relations amongst all Malaysians residing in Indonesia, as well as to encourage greater participation from Malaysians who are not directly involved in business. From thereon, MCJ have grown and this was largely attributed to the unwavering support of the various Ambassadors of Malaysia to Indonesia and also the patron of MCJ starting from Dato Abdullah Zamawi and his successors, Dato Dali Hassim. Dato Zainal Abidin Alias, Dato Rastam Mohd. Isa, Dato Hamidon Ali and Dato Zainal Abidin Zain and Dato Syed Munshe, the current Ambassador of Malaysia to Indonesia. Credit also goes to the staff of the Malaysian Embassy for their assistance and cooperation, as well as the dedication and hard work put in by the successive Exco members of the club.
With an increase of Malaysian expatriates in Indonesia, a new generation of dynamic Exco members has emerged over the years. Seeking to widen the scope and number of club activities, it is hoped that MCJ will play a more important and successful role in the lives of expatriates living in Indonesia.
Objectives of MCJ:
- To promote closer liaisons among the Malaysian community in Indonesia.
- To collect and disseminate business information in collaboration with the Malaysian Embassy? particularly the Malaysian Trade Office in Jakarta.
- To update and maintain records on the particulars of the Malaysian business community, professionals, and other Malaysian nationals in Jakarta and Indonesia in general.
- To assist in social, cultural, and sport activities organized by the Malaysian Embassy and other Malaysian organizations in Indonesia, as well as to foster national aspirations and solidarity.
- To provide a networking platform for business/social/cultural interactions with the international community in Indonesia and the Indonesian community.
- To assist in the development of the Malaysian business interests in Indonesia.
Events:
- Monthly Members Gathering for social and business interactions.
- Annual Family Day
- Quarterly Golf Tournament
- National Day Golf Tournament
- National Day Sports Tournament/Embassy Function
- Annual Dinner and Dance
- Business Networking by Malaysia Club Business Council (MCBC)