Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SUBANG, KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 18/11/93
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW
FACILITIES OF THE JAPANESE SCHOOL
OF KUALA LUMPUR
I would like to offer my heartiest congratulations to
the Embassy of Japan, Japan Club, JACTIM and everyone
involved in the task of completing the new Kuala Lumpur
Japanese School building.
2. I have been made to understand that the Japanese
education system, in line with the globalisation of Japanese
business, is now being applied to 88 Japanese schools in 55
countries and two regions. It is said that the total
student population currently number over 18,000 and
approximately 70 percent of it is in Asia. Japanese schools
are located in every ASEAN country, with the exception of
Brunei, with the population and size of the schools said to
rank in the top 10 worldwide.
3. From these statistics, it is clear that the ties
between Japan and the ASEAN countries are very close,
meaning therefore, that Japan has a certain role to play
within this region.
4. Likewise, this new school building which boasts of
teaching facilities for over 1,000 students is especially
reflective of the ever-closer relationship between Malaysia
and Japan. It also reflects the important role of Japanese
investors in this country.
5. In retrospect, the Look East Policy introduced in
1981 and the Foreign Investment Act, 1986 were the impetus
for the increase in the number of Japanese investors into
Malaysia. And it was also under the Look East Policy that
the number of Malaysians studying in Japan increased
dramatically. From a mere 147 students studying in Japan
in 1982, the number increased to 3,400 students and trainees
in 1992.
6. Following the rising value of the Yen triggered by the
Plaza Accord of 1985 and in order to maintain international
competitiveness, Japanese businesses began to shift their
operations to East Asia. Malaysia became especially
attractive with the introduction of the Preferential Clause
for Foreign Investments in September 1986. This enabled
foreign investors to own up to 100 percent of their
industries in Malaysia. With the increased investments the
number of Japanese personnel and their family increased
dramatically. Educational facilities for their children
became essential. When these facilities were made
available, this made Malaysia even more attractive to
Japanese investors.
7. Malaysia launched Vision 2020 in February 1991. With
this goal, Malaysia wants to achieve the status of an
industrialised country with a caring and wholesome society.
I am sure there is a lot that we can learn from Japan.
8. The setting up of this Japanese school in Kuala Lumpur
will not only provide Japanese education for Japanese
children in Malaysia, but it will enable cultural exchanges
to take place between the Japanese and Malaysian children.
Already sports tournaments and cultural exchanges have been
organised in the Kia Peng and Taman Seputeh areas. With the
appointment of an International Exchange Director, such
exchanges will be enhanced.
9. Apart from the Japanese School, I was informed that the
Japan Club is considering to set up a Japanese training
centre for youth wishing to study in Japan. A specialised
technical training centre at the old school site in Taman
Seputeh will be a further contribution to the Malaysian
society. With this development I expect to see greater
progress in the relationship between the Japanese and the
Malaysians in Malaysia.
10. I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude
to Japan Club and JACTIM for the many contributions they
have made to the Malaysian society.
11. I now take great pleasure to declare open the new
facilities of the Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur.
12. Thank you - minasama arigato gozamashita (to everyone,
thank you very much.)
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