KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 ― Having spent the first eight years of her life in Ipoh, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Victoria Marguerite Treadell, recalls joining her vintage car enthusiast father on rides and modelling bridesmaids outfits with her sister.
Her late father, Rex Jansz — who was of French-Dutch ancestry, owned a publishing business while her mother Anne Chan was a sought-after wedding dress maker in Ipoh.
“Of course, life was not about vintage cars and pretty dresses all the time. I remember climbing a rambutan tree in our backyard, going to school (Tarcisian Convent) wearing the blue pinafore and white starched cotton shirt, with ankle socks and canvas pumps,” Treadell said.
Although Treadell and her family settled in the UK when she was eight, she often returned to Malaysia to visit relatives. Returning to her birth country in 2014 as the British High Commissioner meant a lot to the half-Malaysian diplomat.
“I would like to make a difference and further enhance Britain's long standing relationship with Malaysia,” said Treadell, who spent four years as a junior diplomat here in the late 80s.
Given her Malaysian roots, Treadell revealed it helped her a “great deal in terms of understanding Malaysia, its culture and its people”.
At the recent launch of a food memoir by Malaysian culinary sage Carol Selva Rajah, Treadell expressed concerns on how the Malaysia she grew up in was at risk of disappearing at a rapid pace.
Upon her return, Treadell said Kuala Lumpur's modern skyscrapers and transport networks were comparable to other metropolitan cities.
“Even my hometown of Ipoh, a former mining town, has seen many new hotels, eateries and retailers mushrooming in the past few years with an increase in tourism activities,” she observed.
One other obvious change and quite a worrying one was diminished tolerance levels and an increase in racial polarisation.
“Having grown up in Ipoh, I remember being in school with Malay, Chinese and Indian classmates. We studied and played together, we attended each other’s birthday parties. People from different ethnicity came together very naturally. The sense of mutual respect and equality was instinctive,” she said.
“Diversity is a great asset that should be celebrated, not something that divides people. If Malaysians of different races and faiths can co-exist harmoniously, united by a sense of pride in nationhood, then Malaysia is well-positioned to go far. Malaysia’s strength is in the unity of its diversity.”
Her team at the British High Commission are hoping to take their strategic engagement with Malaysia to a new level. Bilateral trade and investment, education partnership and efforts to counter extremism are just some of the steps.
She said people-to-people links form the core of every diplomatic relationship and a strong emphasis on promoting moderation, tolerance, rule of law and human rights were crucial.
“We constantly look for opportunities to engage Malaysians from all walks of life and from different parts of the country through dialogue, visits and even social media.”
British education is a major sector in post-colonial Malaysia, with approximately 16,000 Malaysian students in the UK and 58,000 students in Malaysia studying for a British qualification and Treadell wants to make UK education even more accessible here as well as help Malaysia reach its goal of becoming a “regional hub for higher education.”
“Just to give you a teaser, we are working on a 'Great Campaign' this year to showcase the best of UK education and to enhance the existing partnership in the education sector.
“Business ties between Britain and Malaysia is stronger than what most people think,” she said.
On a more personal note, Treadell is known for her love of motorcycles and cars.
In her last posting as the British High Commissioner to New Zealand, she organised the Great British Car Rally from Auckland to Christchurch over a six-day period.
“I drove a Jaguar and a Range Rover, I also tested a beautiful Triumph motorbike.
“I would love to organise something similar here to showcase the best of Britain’s automotive sector whether two or four-wheel,” said the adventurous diplomat.
When time permits, Treadell enjoys getting out the city in her Land Rover Discovery Sport to explore Malaysia’s hills, jungles and beaches.
“Malaysia really does have something to offer everyone,” she said.
During the recent Christmas festivities, she hosted a party at her residence where members of the British community and friends of the High Commission came together to sing carols, drink mulled wine, eat minced pies and be merry.
Celebrations at home were more low-key, where Treadell and her husband Alan enjoyed a quiet meal, relaxed by the pool and caught up with some good reads while listening to music.
“My favourite thing about Christmas is spending time with family and friends. It really is that simple.
In this respect, Christmas is like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and all other festive celebrations. It is a great time to reconnect with people and reflect “on the important things in life,” she said.
