By Aida Aziz
IPOH: Thirteen students from Medan, Indonesia were placed with foster families here through the Ipoh-Medan City Friendship Student Exchange Program on Sunday.
According to the Mayor of Ipoh, Datuk Rumaizi Baharin, all students will attend school in Ipoh and stay with their foster families until June 29.
He said this is the second time such a program has been organized after nearly 10 years, with the last one being in 2015.
“The 13 students from Medan consist of seven boys and six girls, aged between 15 and 17 years old.
“This program is a continuation of the Ipoh City Council’s effort to foster a city friendship relationship with Medan since August 28, 2009.
“The establishment of this city friendship relationship is based on equality and mutual interests.
“It aims to strengthen and establish partnerships and cooperation between the two cities to promote understanding and friendship between the people of Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said.
He made these remarks while officiating the Foster Child Handover Ceremony through the Ipoh-Medan City Friendship Student Exchange Program here.
Present at the event were Ipoh City Council Member Lawrence Palanisamy, Deputy Director of Student Affairs, Perak State Education Department, Fakrul Nizam Pakhruddin, and Head of Government Cooperation Division, Kota Medan, Indonesia, Drs. Lilik.
He further stated that there are plans for next year to send exchange students from Ipoh to Medan.
In the meantime, Rumazi expressed hopes that the relationship between the two cities can continue.
