Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SRI PERDANA, KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 05/08/96
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL DINNER HOSTED IN
HONOUR OF THE HONOURABLE SITIVENI
RABUKA, PRIME MINISTER OF THE
REPUBLIC OF FIJI
1. It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the
Government and people of Malaysia, to bid you and
Madame Suluweti as well as members of your
delegation a very warm welcome to Malaysia. I am
delighted that you are able to visit Malaysia. Your
visit will provide us with the opportunity to
exchange views on issues of mutual concern. I hope
your brief stay in Kuala Lumpur will be a fruitful
and enjoyable one.
2. Malaysia and Fiji may be separated by the vast
Pacific Ocean but physical distance has not been a
barrier to fostering closer bilateral relations. I
recall with fondness my own visit to Fiji in 1982
and my brief stop-over in July 1991. I am confident
that your visit will mark another milestone in our
desire to strengthen further the bridge of
friendship between our two countries.
3. Malaysia is following with keen interest the
significant developments taking place in Fiji. The
courage and determination that you have shown in
working towards Fiji's long term political stability
through constitutional means with the support of the
people have been most commendable indeed. We wish
you every success in your efforts in the interest of
all Fijians.
4. In the field of economy in particular, the
emphasis that your government is giving to
developing the industrial sector through various
incentives like the creation of tax free zones and
industrial zones is also praiseworthy. There is
also great scope for tourism to become the largest
money-earner in place of sugar in Fiji. We commend
you on the various initiatives that you have taken
to expand the country's economic base and potentials
so as to generate greater growth for the economic
well-being of the people.
5. Malaysia enjoys a long history of cooperation
with Fiji. We remember with gratitude the
sacrifices made by Fijian soldiers during the time
of the Emergency, in fighting gallantly side by side
with Malaysia, British, Australian and New Zealand
troops. We are forever indebted to the sons of Fiji
who had fallen in the defence of our country. I
understand that some of the veterans who served in
Malaysia are still alive and that some of them still
recall affectionately places such as Mersing, Batu
Pahat and Johore Bahru where they once served. Our
warmest regards go to all of them with the prayer
that they may continue to enjoy good health in the
years ahead.
6. Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Fiji at
RM96.3 million for 1995, is still relatively small.
There is a need to encourage greater interactions
and collaboration between members of the private
sector of both sides. Some big names like the
Berjaya Group and Kuok Brothers from Malaysia have
already made their presence felt in Fiji. We are
also happy to see our national car, the Proton Saga,
making inroads into the Fijian market. Given the
right incentives and support by both governments I
am confident that greater efforts could be made to
exploit the opportunities available to further
enhance mutually beneficial trade and economic
collaboration between the two countries.
7. Malaysia has benefitted considerably from
experiences gained in the field of nation building
and socio-economic development. As a member of the
South we believe in sharing such experiences for
mutual benefit. There is much that we can learn
from each other. In this regard we are pleased to
see the participation of Fiji in the Malaysia
Technical Cooperation Programme. We look forward to
identifying new areas for technical cooperation to
better meet the needs and requirements of both
countries. The opportunity for bilateral
interactions provided within the context of the
programme could certainly be put to good use by both
sides in the interest of enhancing South-South
Cooperation.
8. I am happy to see ongoing discussions taking
place between the two countries to enhance relations
in the field of trade, investment and technical
cooperation mentioned above as well as in other
areas like education, tourism, agriculture, finance,
transportation and defence within the framework of
the Malaysia-Fiji Senior Officials Bilateral
Meeting. Malaysia remains committed to playing its
part in meeting this objective and looks forward to
the next Meeting of Senior Officials between the two
countries in Fiji.
9. Malaysia also appreciates the close
consultations and cooperation that exist between our
two countries at the international level. In this
regard we look forward to welcoming Fiji back into
the Commonwealth as early as possible so as to
enable it to resume its constructive role as a
member of the organisation.
10. In conclusion, may I once again welcome Your
Excellency, Madame Suluweti and members of your
delegation to Malaysia.
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