Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : LONDON
Tarikh/Date : 20/07/87
Tajuk/Title : THE DINNER HOSTED BY THE HONOURABLE
MRS. MARGARET THATCHER PRIME
MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
The Right Honourable Prime Minister
Mrs. Margaret Thatcher;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me begin by congratulating you again for your
historic third consecutive victory in the general elections.
Your victory speaks clearly of your very able leadership. I
have myself overcome some squalls. I am happy to state that
we can now continue "to do business as usual", so to speak.
2. I am a frequent visitor to London and yet find much
pleasure in making this first official visit to this capital
city with its various charms. Members of my delegation, no
doubt, are taking in avidly all that London has to offer.
3. I have undertaken this visit with a positive mind,
convinced that our bilateral relations could be raised to a
level that would do justice to the many ties that had
long characterised relations between our two countries. It
is important that we move forward. In developing our
relations let us add meaning to our efforts, substance to
our initiatives and imagination to our approach. Let us
tolerate criticism of each other, if necessary and yet
remain strong on the commonality of interest that binds us.
4. For historical reasons, Britain has been the favoured
country for most Malaysians -- for education and training,
for technology, and for holidays to name some. Ability to
use the English language has become "de rigeur" for most
Malaysians. The average Malaysian knows more about Britain
than the average Britons do of Malaysia. But structural
adjustments taking place within our two countries and
influences by competing external factors are bringing
considerable changes to all those which we have hitherto
taken for granted.
5. It has always been in the finest tradition of Britain
to recognise early the winds of change. With that
recognition comes ability to adjust, anticipate and finally
participate in the processes brought about by change. This
is an invaluable talent, a national genius; to have it is
to be able to survive and thrive. Malaysia too has been
honing its reflexes to change. We believe we have read the
signals well. The falling price of our commodities,
restrictive markets, volatile exchange rates, etc. - these
are storm warnings that we must heed in order to effect the
proper responses. Bilateral relations between Malaysia and
Britain must adapt well in these circumstances. Sentiments
and tried old ways are poor alternatives. Malaysia would
like to look at Britain anew, to come to terms with
Britain's new priorities and to gain if possible from
effervescent new ideas that may be afoot in your industries.
Britain too should do likewise to Malaysia. Britain should
be more sensitive to Malaysia's needs and aspirations.
Prime Minister,
6. The Malaysian Government does not want to look back.
There is little to gain from that. In order to upgrade the
quality of our relationship, Malaysia and Britain must
provide the necessary underpinnings. In this respect, I
clearly see a proactive role for the private sector of both
countries, as much as both governments must also contribute.
7. The economic relations between Malaysia and Britain
must be the focus of both governments as well as the private
sector of both countries. Ideally, the relationship should
be a model of a mutually beneficial relationship between the
former colonial power and the independent country. However,
30 years into independence there are still adjustments to be
made. It is a matter of concern for Malaysia that we
continue to experience a substantial deficit in terms of our
invisible trade with the United Kingdom. The efforts made
by Malaysia to bring about a more favourable balance in this
respect have yet to bear fruit.
8. It is imperative that we urgently rectify the problem
encountered in areas of insurance, education, consultancy
and shipping. These indeed are the major areas in which
Britain can play a positive role towards achieving a more
equitable economic relationship. It is in this context that
we wish to see Britain diversifying its imports from
Malaysia rather than confining to importing only Malaysia's
primary commodities. We also wish to see an increase in
British investments in Malaysia especially now when we have
greatly liberalised conditions for foreign investments.
9. Malaysia has accepted fully the priorities that Britain
has established for itself. Britain's entry into the Common
Market, its special concerns over East-West relations and
its identification with the United States on some foreign
policy issues are in our view the prerogatives of Britain.
We do not question although we are mindful of the stalemated
positions on North-South issues, the New International
Economic Order, challenge to multilateralism and a host of
other problems of the developing countries. There is much
disillusionment with the North for us in the South on these
issues. Developing countries like Malaysia cannot afford to
wait indefinitely for deliverance. This has impelled us
towards the establishment of the South Commission to chart
out practical and sustaining cooperations between countries
of the South. Still it will be well for the world to
remember that all countries are interdependent and the North
cannot really do without the South.
10. It would seem that the technological break-throughs
that have fired everyone's imagination are not only not
going to help make qualitative changes in the developing
world but may make the disparity between North and South
even greater. Not having the expertise, even the
exploitation of our own resources like petroleum gas will
mean added dependence on the developed countries, at a heavy
price. And new technology has of course reduced the need for
our commodities even as they increase the production of the
same.
11. Malaysia, as I said earlier, is honing itself to
respond effectively to these new challenges. We have been
buffetted by numerous economic storms and pressures in the
last few years. The resulting setbacks have shocked us out
of our complacent view that growth is a function of time.
We now realise that wealth creation needs entrepreneurship,
management skill and greater productivity. It is because of
this that we need to learn from the successful countries of
the East.
12. Some people decry Malaysia's Look East Policy, accusing
Malaysians of forgetting old friends from the West. We have
not forgotten. One hundred thousand students studying in
the West bear testimony to that. We have only about one
thousand students in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. But we need
to learn what makes these countries succeed in competing
with established industrialised countries if we are to enter
the fray ourselves. It is the work ethics, management
methods and business strategies that we are interested in.
Look East does not, I repeat, does not mean giving contracts
or buying goods exclusively from the East. I hope our
British friends, in both sectors, understand the objective
of Malaysia. Countries like Malaysia cannot afford to evolve
at the same pace as the developed countries in their early
days. We have to programme ourselves for quantum leaps. We
may land on quite a few toes. We hope we do not hurt too
much. We hope our friends will understand why we do this.
Prime Minister,
13. Notwithstanding the differing degrees of influence that
our two countries exercise in international affairs, I am
happy to note that there are a number of issues where we
both share common stands. I refer specifically to
Kampuchea, Afghanistan, the problem of drug abuse and
illicit trafficking, the European Commission's proposed levy
on vegetable oils and fats and the need to convene an
International Conference on the Middle East.
14. Of the above international issues, the proposed levy on
vegetable oils and fats is certainly an area of immediate
concern to Malaysia. Our US$2 billion worth of palm oil
export would be badly affected by the levy. We are
accordingly very appreciative of the crucial role played
by Britain in preventing the passage of the proposed levy
at the recent EEC Summit.
15. We view very seriously drug abuse and illicit
trafficking. Malaysia's strong role at the recently
concluded conference in Vienna reflects our concern. All of
us need to follow up on the commitments given in Vienna. We
must collectively rid us of this menace. There has to be a
co-ordinated effort linking the national programme to the
regional and the international. I look forward to Britain
to play a prominent role in the Commonwealth forum, possibly
on the question of forfeiture, so that all of us can
benefit.
16. Malaysia hold the view that the Commonwealth is still a
useful forum although personally I feel that it has not
risen to the occasion when it is most needed. I refer to
the despicable policy of apartheid practiced by the white
regime in South Africa. Malaysia applied sanctions
unilaterally against South Africa since 1965 and we have
lost billions of dollars as a result. I cannot believe that
any British Prime Minister would want to see apartheid
perpetuated. Yet Britain is unwilling to apply sanctions in
the belief that it will do the blacks more harm than good.
I don't think so. Indeed, I feel that more than any other
member of the Commonwealth, Britain has a moral duty to join
the majority to bring about the end of minority rule and
apartheid in South Africa.
Prime Minister,
17. I am happy indeed that discussions on this and other
issues have been conducted frankly between our two
countries. I think by now, both sides are used to the merits
of plain speaking. Our discussions on bilateral issues in
particular augur well for the future of Malaysia-British
relations. My delegation and I are very appreciative of the
warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to us and I
look forward to completing the programme of my visit which I
hope will help pave the way towards better bilateral
relations.
18. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, may I now
invite you to join me in a toast to the good health of our
host, The Right Honourable Mrs Margaret Thatcher, the Prime
Minister of the United Kingdom and to the continued and
lasting friendship between Malaysia and the United Kingdom.
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