AUGUST 17 — In English-speaking nations, the deep fried sliced potatoes are called French fries. But in French it is pommes frites, or simply frites, in Dutch, its frieten, and in German, fritten. No "French” is added to the way the fries are described. The Belgians are adamant that it was an "accident in history”, as it was mistakenly thought to be an innovation of France when first consumed in the French-speaking sector of Belgium. 

Frites/frieten are sold in many snack shops all over Belgium, like our nasi lemak at home. The fries are served with a variety of sauces in cardboard cones or wrapped paper.

Daniel Dargent, the Belgian ambassador to Malaysia, who hosted tea at his official residence, provided some clarification on this misnomer, with some relish. I must remember to get the French ambassador’s response on this "controversial” subject.

Long-time friend of Malaysia, Belgium was one of the early nations to recognise our Merdeka and had established diplomatic relations from 1957. They purchased their embassy lot in the vicinity of the KLCC, which was sold about 10 years ago. Today the embassy is in a high-end commercial building still within the KLCC locale.

There is no Belgian language per se. The country is divided into three regions, i.e. Dutch speaking Flemish Region, French speaking Wallonia Region (with a significant German speaking minority) and the French and Dutch speaking Brussels-Capital Region. The latter region comprises 19 municipalities while the earlier two regions are further subdivided into 10 provinces.

Theirs is a complex political structure, which looks at the micro needs of all, taking into account the historical backgrounds of the main cultural communities that led to the founding of their nation. I marvel at the extremes their founding fathers sought to allay fears of minority rights being trampled, and to forestall the majority wielding an iron hand. Right from the beginning they learned from history — that men are assuredly not infallible, however sincere they may be at the start.  

Their head of state is King Philippe, who ascended July 21, 2013, upon the abdication of his father Albert II. Philippe is only their seventh king.  The National Day of Belgium commemorates the taking of the oath of King Leopold I on July 21, 1831. I can still remember their King Baudouin (Reigned from 1951-1993) who was featured in a few stamps in my collection when I was a kid. 

Their population is 11.5 million and the distribution by language speaking stands as 59 per cent Dutch, 40 per cent French and one per cent German. Daniel, who is French speaking, believes the most famous Belgian, Jean-Claude Van Damme (Muscles from Brussels) is also French speaking. Other international personalities are women tennis champions Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin, cyclist Eddy Merckx and racing driver Jacky Ickx.

Belgium was also a target of IS terrorism. In March, three coordinated suicide bombings: two at Brussels airport and one in central Brussels killed 32 civilians and three perpetrators, and injured more than 300. According to Daniel, the authorities are convinced that IS penetration is being contained but they continue to be fearful of the "lone wolf”. One never knows when a mental case strikes. 

Immigration from Morocco and Turkey was quite free flowing in the 1960s. It was only in 1974 that a formal cap was introduced to limit economic migration. 

The Belgian ambassador

Daniel was born in Brussels on Christmas Eve 1957. He earned a degree in International Relations and Public Administration and a Special Degree in Foreign Trade. He started his career with the civil service 1982 and joined the Consular Service in 1985 before being accepted into the Foreign Service in 1989. Both the consular and foreign services have since been amalgamated into one. 

During his time, from the 1,000 aspirants who took the Foreign Service entrance exam, 150 proceeded to the second round and eventually only 40 were selected. It was then followed by two years of intensive training. 

His first overseas posting was to Luanda, Angola from 1986-89. This was followed by assignments to Bucharest, Caracas, Lisbon and Lagos. 

Daniel’s ambassadorial posting commenced in Libreville, Gabon, concurrently as non-resident ambassador to several other African countries, from 2004 to 2007, followed by Angola from 2007 to 2011. He was posted to Kuala Lumpur in August 2014. Each posting is between three to four years. 

Belgium is represented by about 100 missions and they are helmed almost exclusively by career diplomats. 

There are around 50 Belgian companies in Malaysia and their community is 500 strong. Daniel has visited the whole country except Perlis, and is particularly fascinated with the architecture in George Town. He enjoys spicy food and singled out the Penang char koay teow as a favourite. 

Isma is back!

Following Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid’s announcement that Putrajaya would not allow government schools to be "too Islamic”, Isma (Malaysian Muslim Solidarity) president Abdullah Zaik suggested Mahdzir as someone with little understanding about the national education philosophy and questioned if he is conceding to demands made by non-Muslims?

His deputy Datuk Aminuddin Yahya claimed that it was the lack of Islamic education that caused much of today’s social problems, citing liberalism and pluralism as the causes. 

Postscript

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or North Korea has an impeccable track record of effectively obliterating liberalism and pluralism. But North Koreans continue to risk death daily trying to escape from their "heaven on earth” nation? 

Politicking issues must keep clear of education policies. There are certainly no issues more lethal than race and religion in the education environ. Don’t these people love Malaysia enough?

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.