President’s Message

Distinguished members of MMCA and all members of the Malayalee community in Malaysia and wherever you may reside.

Namaskaram and greetings to one and all.

It is an honour for me to be addressing you as the new President of MMCA which is an organisation with a proud past, a long history and what I hope will be an exciting future too.

As we refer to the proud past, I wish to acknowledge and put on record the achievements of MMCA’s immediate past-president, Dato’ A.R Peter and all previous Presidents and EXCO Members who have served the Association with immense dedication and passion.

MMCA has benefited much from Dato A.R. Peter’s many terms a President. His leadership of the organisation was steady, assured and pragmatic. His legacy is clearly a better organisation, stronger governance with a vision and strategy suited to the times.

And so, to the future.

Over the next two years we will continue to build on our strengths, but also take on new directions. We will continue our programs that strengthen MMCA’s inclusivity agenda through social & community, religious, education and training initiatives. In these areas, MMCA will also endeavour to work closely with AMMA thereby ensuring that our MMCA members can have more opportunities to interact, socialize and align with the wider Malayalee community on common areas. AMMA under the leadership of Datuk Rajan Menon has been extremely supportive of MMCA and we hope to leverage on the goodwill and support of AMMA on as many areas as possible.

Cont

We will also be embarking on a drive to increase the MMCA membership numbers. One of the key strengths of MMCA as we deliver service to the community, is the diversity in skillsets and vocation across our members, many of whom are successful business leaders and professionals. We would like to continue to build on this and count on your support in this initiative.

Besides being a health tragedy, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an abrupt change in routines and livelihoods all around the world. The MMCA is also not spared and we have had to adjust to the new normal of conducting our meetings and undertaking our discussions virtually. We have now advocated the use of tele-and-video communication for most engagements and in this regard will also be enhancing our social media presence.

The loss of livelihoods within the community due to the pandemic is a major growing concern and MMCA will try and do what it reasonably can to help assist the affected communities.

Finally, with all the opportunities and challenges around us at this time, I am of the belief that my acceptance to serve as President of MMCA will not be a smooth one if I am to walk it alone. I am therefore deeply thankful to the MMCA EXCO team who work tirelessly on various initiatives and to Dato’ A.R. Peter for staying on as Advisor of MMCA. More importantly, MMCA needs the support of all Malayalees, in particular the Catholic Malayalee community if the organisation is to stay relevant and thrive. Your participation and engagement are important and much needed.

In closing, I would like to borrow a quote from Winston Churchill who said “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”; therefore let us remember that life in abundance, comes as a result of giving ourselves to others.

Nanni.

Thank you and God Bless.

Datuk Dominic Silva

President