Story by Chan Lilian
Pix by Alissala Thian
OCTOBER 28, 1914 was the day when 88 Russians sailors perished and many others were wounded while protecting Penang Harbour in the Battle of Penang.
Twelve of them were laid to rest here in Penang, 10 at the Western Road Cemetery and two at Pulau Jerjak.
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Malaysia organised the 100th Year Commemoration of the Battle of Penang on Oct 28 where Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng graced the occasion.
In 1914, during the first World War, Russia was part of the Allies with Great Britain and France.
Around 4.30 am on Oct 28, 1914, the German ship SMS Emden fired at Russian ship Zhemchug.
Local fishermen rushed to the scene with their small boats and rescued some of the sailors.
Recalling that incident, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Malaysia Lyudmila G. Vorobyeva said: “Even before our two countries had official relations, there was a piece of evidence in history about people-to-people relationship when fishermen helped the sailors. For that, we are forever grateful to Malaysians.”
Prayers were offered by an Orthodox priest while Roman-Catholic priest Fr Michael Cheah and others guests joined in the event.
One of the guests, a political columnist from Russia, Dmitri Kosyrev, delivered a short speech, pointing out how human needs rise above war where two countries, i.e. Malaysia and Russia, who were so far apart and yet filled with compassion and sympathy helped each other.
Russia and Malaysia plan to expand their bilateral relationship in transportation, facility development and banking.
Russia is currently Malaysia’s 26th trading partner with turnover of US$2.7 billion in 2013.
Russia imports electric and electronic equipment, mechanical equipment and rubber products from Malaysia.
There are about 3,500 Russians living in Malaysia.
Also, recognising the contributions and fruitful relationships between Malaysia and Russia, Vorobyeva conferred upon the Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation, Teoh Seng Lee, the Russian Presidential Order of Friendship.
Russia is now one of the ideal places to send young Malaysian students to study medicine thanks to Teoh who started by sending four students in 1997 and well over seven thousand today.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was proud that the spirit of people-to-people relationship between Malaysians and Russians has lived on for a century and hopes that this spirit will usher peace for centuries to come.