RUSSIAN ambassador to Malaysia Valery Yermolov and the Russian honorary consul to Penang Teoh Seng Lee paid a courtesy visit Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today at his office bringing forward some matters pertaining to the burial ground located at the Western Road Christian Cemetery where Russian sailors were buried and also conveyed their hope of having a closer relationship with Malaysia.
According to Yermolov, annually the Russian embassy will hold a memorial service for the fallen heroes (the sailors) who perished on Oct 28, 1914.
“We would like to request the Honourable Chief Minister with regards to the plots where our sailors are buried to be given legal recognition by the council (Penang Island City Council) as well as maintaining it.
“Every year we will pay respect to our sailors and tomorrow is the day where some 40 people from the Russian embassy will be attending the memorial service,” said Yermolov.
Responding, to the request, Chow said that he will convey the concerns raised by the Russian ambassador to the council.
Apart from that, Yermolov and Teoh hoped that Malaysian tourists will visit more cities in Russia apart from the popular cities such as the Moscow and St Petersburg.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi