The MUMSA logo is a motif of the Malaysian national hibiscus flower or "Bunga Raya" with the New Zealand national fernleaf as it's centre.
Together, it symbolizes MUMSA's embrace of the Kiwi spirit while maintaining it's Malaysian roots.
History
The Massey University Malaysian Students' Association (MUMSA) was founded back in 1997 by the Malaysian students at that time, initially known as MALSA, or the Malaysian Students Assosiation.
The years that followed saw a drastic decline in MALSA membership due to the reducing number of Malaysian students studying in Massey. The economic crisis faced by the Malaysian government was to blame, resulting in no Malaysians in Massey by 2004. The club had officially disintegrated.
In 2005, despite having only 10 people in the club, MALSA managed to reestablish itself to represent Malaysia in the local New Zealand society. Such was the determination of the Malaysians.
With the help of the Malaysian Ministry of Education restarting it's scholarship programme a year later, Malaysian students started returning to Massey. In 2006, President Ian Lim made the initiative to revive the group under a new vision, and MUMSA was born.
The same year, MUMSA joined the Malaysian University Students Games known as the ‘Bersatu Games’ in Dunedin and was highly praised for sportsmanship, returning with a trophy. Since then, MUMSA has been acknowledged by other Malaysian clubs in New Zealand as a formidable competitor in the games.
MUMSA has since grown with more members joining every year. There are a significant number of students sponsored by the Malaysian Public Services Department and Majlis Amanah Rakyat as well as private individuals who come to study in Massey.
Tradition
In 2007, the President was Imran Suria. Consecutively in 2008 and 2009, the President was Iylia Zafri, and in 2010, the President was Iswandi Ayub.
MUMSA has been actively looking after the welfare of Malaysian students in Palmerston North by engaging in various social events.
Annually, MUMSA guides prospective students with accommodation arrangements, securing New Zealand based health/travel insurance, travel arrangements, and acts as a medium for it's members within the local communities and other internationals through cultural activities.
MUMSA has witnessed a growth in member figures since its rebirth in 2005. MUMSA is proud to be the voice of the many Malaysian families in and around Palmerston North. From under 20 members just a few years back, MUMSA now boasts over 100 members, consisting of Malaysians and non-Malaysians alike.
MUMSA is fully backed by experienced and committed government personnel from the New Zealand Malaysian Students’ Department (MSD) and support staff under the leadership of High Commissioner of Malaysia, Datuk Hasnudin Hamzah.
Though the means and methods may have evolved over time, MUMSA's determination to serve remains unchanged. MUMSA serves true to it's key founding aim of representing the interests and welfare of Malaysian students in The Student City of Palmerston North.
Activities generally include:
- Gatherings
- Weekly sports
- Fortnightly social
- Orientation programs (twice a year)
- Major Festival Celebrations
- Deepavali
- Mooncake Festival
- Buka Puasa
- Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and Aidil-Adha
- Christmas
- Chinese New Year
- Annual Themed Dinner
- Independence Day
- Local social activities
- Unity and Diversity Cultural Show
- Sakura Festival
- Manawatu Social Sports Leagues
- Massey University Indoor Soccer World Cup
2009 Activities:
- Corn Maze 09
- Relay for life 09
- Clubs Day
- Ethkick 09
- Festival of Cultures 09
- Sea Games 09 (co-hosted with Merlion Club and Indonesian Club)
- Bersatu Games 2009
- Potluck 09
- Merdeka Night 09 (co-hosted with MMS)
- Hari Raya 09
2008 Activities:
- Corn Maze 08
- MU Indoor Soccer World Cup 08 (co-hosted with Merlion Club)
- Potluck 08
- SEA Games 08
- BERSATU Games 2008 in Wellington - 40 people contingent
- Unity in Diversity 08
- Malaysian Night 08
- Break Fast and Moon Cake Festival 08
- Hari Raya 08
- Picnic 08
