Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : ULAANBATAAR, MONGOLIA
Tarikh/Date : 11/09/97
Tajuk/Title : THE OCCASION OF THE CONFERMENT OF
THE HONORARY DOCTORATE OF HUMANITY
BY THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
OF MONGOLIA
1. I am deeply honoured to be here this morning to
receive the Honorary Doctorate of Humanity conferred on me
by the National University of Mongolia. I would like to
convey my special thanks to the Government of Mongolia and
the distinguished members of the Academic Council of
Scholars of the University, which have deemed me worthy of
the Honorary Doctorate.
2. Besides being a personal honour for me, I am happy
that the occasion is made more meaningful as it coincides
with the 26th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Mongolia. This
honour that you have just accorded me will be remembered
by us as a symbol of the enhanced relationship between our
two countries.
3. We are at the threshold of a new millennium. I am
hopeful that the future will see a much more equitable
distribution of wealth and prosperity between the
countries of the world. I appreciate that the world does
not owe us a living. But I do hope that the world will
also not deliberately prevent us from seeking a fair share
of the opportunities and the wealth of this world,
including the exploitation of our own resources.
4. Mongolia is perceived by us in the South East Asia as
a very remote country. It is time that we revise our
perceptions. It took only seven hours to fly here. It
takes 13 hours to fly non-stop to London and more than 20
hours to New York. Yet these places are not regarded as
being remote.
5. It seems to me that Mongolia with its pristine
beauty, its clear air, its glorious history and the relics
of the past, would be a great place for tourists from
South East Asia and other parts of the world. It needs
only some investments in facilities for Mongolia to become
less remote. Malaysia is prepared to work with Mongolia
to overcome the obstacles which today gives the impression
that you are remote.
6. As developing countries in an age of globalisation
and rapid technological changes, there is, I believe, a
strong need for us to unite and speak with one voice to
ensure that our interests are promoted and views duly
respected. In such a challenging environment, it is
imperative that countries of the South intensify their
cooperation for their mutual benefits. Countries of the
South, in their efforts to develop their economies will
find their path fraught with difficulties, including those
imposed by external pressures. We in the East Asian
region are only too aware of these attempts by outside
forces to slow down our rapid economic growth as
demonstrated by the recent attempts to destabilise and
weaken certain East Asian currencies. Until and unless we
in the developing countries resist the manipulation by
these external forces, we will not be able to achieve the
full potential of our countries. Hence, the urgent need
for the South countries to step up their cooperation in
the face of all these challenges.
7. Malaysia values its friendship with all countries,
large or small, irrespective of their systems of
government. We only expect mutual respect and equality.
We also believe in working together towards a conducive
environment for global peace, stability, and common
prosperity. We are conscious that the next millennium is
just around the corner, and with its dawning, it should
bring new hopes as well. It is my sincere hope that all
countries will strive together to build a better and more
equitable world for our future generations.
8. On this note, allow me, once again to express my
deepest appreciation and sense of pride for the Honorary
Doctorate conferred on me today by the National University
of Mongolia. I would like to end my speech with a
reference to the meaning of your Soyombo:
"May all people, both ruler and the ruled, be honest and
straightforward in serving the country".
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