Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR.
MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : TOKYO, JAPAN
Tarikh/Date : 19/10/98
Tajuk/Title : THE TOKYO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ON AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT (TICAD II)
It is an honour and privilege for me to be invited
to address this distinguished audience of leaders of
Africa, Asia and Japan at this Tokyo International
Conference on African Development (TICAD II).
2. We are fast approaching a new millennium, a new era
which promises to be very different from the previous
two. The new millennium will surely see not only changes
but a rapidity of change that will truly leave us
breathless. The changes may be the result of technology
but they will also be the result of new sociological
ideas and philosophies, new creeds and new values.
3. Change requires adjustments on the part of everyone.
Some will adjust well and will benefit from change. Some
will not be able to adjust so well or may fail
altogether. And when they fail completely or partially
they will have to pay a price in terms of being left
behind and misfortunes.
4. We are now being given a preview of some of the
things to come.
5. The nineteenth century saw progress in the
conversion of the agrarian economy to the industrial
economy. The feudal lords seized on the industrial
opportunities to exploit their former serfs. The
conditions of labour in Europe were inhuman and
demeaning. The sole concern of the industrialists was to
maximise their profits.
6. By the beginning of the 20th century things were
coming to a boil. Workers' resentment grew. Despite
repressive actions by the democratic Governments, workers
formed unions and took industrial action to demand better
pay and working conditions.
7. In the meantime some sociologists began to rethink
the social and economic order which prevailed then. In a
violent rejection of the capitalist system they promoted
their socialistic and communistic theories. They
insisted that exploitation of the workers must be
stopped, if necessary through violent revolution. The
Russian revolution of 1917 was the epitome of the
communist creed of expropriation and the liquidation of
the capitalists.
8. Communism appeared set to spread worldwide. Fearful
of the fate that had befallen their Eastern counterparts,
the Western capitalist reined in their greed.
9. A friendlier face of capitalism was presented, one
which accommodates some of the demands of the working
class. Workers were allowed to form political parties
and to contest elections. Socialist Governments emerged
as alternatives to Communism.
10. World War II ended with the world divided into two
blocs, capitalist and socialist on one side and
Communists on the other. The breakup of the Western
empires resulted in the emergence of numerous ill-
prepared independent countries in Asia and Africa.
11. The struggle to win the minds and the support of the
newly independent non-aligned countries was set in
motion. For a time the newly independent countries
enjoyed being wooed by both sides. But unfortunately the
leftist communists bloc collapsed. The need to frustrate
the communists by pandering to the wishes of the neutral
independent countries disappeared. Now these countries
have no choice but to submit to the Western capitalist.
Now they all must accept the only ideology -- capitalism
in its worst form.
12. The new capitalist insist upon the right of capital
to go anywhere and to shape all Governments in their own
image. Nobody should do anything to obstruct the flow of
capital across borders. Those who oppose such free flows
must be deemed heretics.
13. Admittedly, a free flow of capital can result in
poor countries becoming enriched. Many poor countries
therefore welcome foreign capital in the form of direct
foreign investments. And indeed the poor countries
seemed to prosper with the ever increasing inflow of
foreign capital.
14. What the developing countries did not realise is
that capital can also flow out freely and rapidly. When
this happens the wealth can disappear overnight. As the
end of the 20th century approaches the friendly face of
capitalism has disappeared. Devaluation of the currency
and share prices as capital is rapidly pulled out
resulted in the destruction almost completely of the
wealth of many developing countries. Along with the
collapsing economy have gone the political stability and
social well-being of the people of these countries.
15. And so as a result of the assaults on the currencies
and the stock markets of the previously rich nations of
East Asia, we now see widespread poverty and depression.
Where before there was wealth and plenty, where before
there was political and social stability, we see today
extreme deprivation, turmoil and utter confusion.
Governments which before had engineered miracles of
economic development are now being overthrown and
replaced with Governments which can do no better.
16. Still capitalism, the free flow of capital,
deregulation and globalisation are trumpeted as the new
religion, the new ideology, the only ideology for the
whole world. Question it and you will be labelled a
heretic. If democracy stands in the way it too must be
brushed aside. And so duly elected Governments must
allow themselves to be disciplined by market forces,
meaning the rich with their billions invested in funds
which indulge in currency trading and raids on stock
markets.
17. This is the world of the new millennium. Developing
countries must take note of this. If we are not careful,
if we do not take the job of developing our countries
seriously, we may revert to being colonies again.
18. East Asia is well known for the economic miracles we
were supposed to have achieved. Actually they were not
miracles. They were just the result of hard work and
discipline, something which everyone can acquire and
practise, whether they are Asian or European or African.
The most difficult part is the acquisition and practice
of these traits, which incidentally have been described
as part of Asian values. Actually the Europeans had
these values too when they were on their way up. So they
are really universal traits which can be cultivated by
anyone.
19. I think that Asians should share their experience
with others so that all can enjoy growth and development.
Our experience is quite recent and it is still fresh in
our minds. We should be able to pass it on with greater
ease.
20. The post-independence turmoil lasted a bit longer in
Africa than in Asia. Socialist ideologists clouded the
views of those who gained power after African
independence. Now that period is over. All over Africa
there is a keen desire to give the people the kind of
life they deserve as independent people. The desire is
there but the skills and the means are not.
21. That is why it is timely that the Asian countries
like Japan and to a lesser extent Malaysia and others
should stretch out a helping hand. It will not cost the
Asians much and they will eventually be amply repaid.
22. When the Japanese came to Malaysia to invest they
not only profited from it but they also help Malaysia to
prosper. As a bonus a prosperous Malaysia has become a
good market for Japanese goods. The benefit for those
extending a helping hand to develop countries are
therefore two-fold. The benefits are also mutual. It is
truly a win-win venture.
23. In the early days after independence when the
objective of the donors was political affiliation rather
than economic well-being, much of the help was in the
form of grants and loans for projects which were not
quite needed by the countries concerned. The result is
that today these countries are grossly in debt so that
all their income have to go towards paying debts. East
Asia concentrated less on aid but more on skills and
technologies. The East Asian approach is therefore a
better model.
24. If the countries of Africa are going to develop the
way East Asian countries develop, then the strategy
should be the same. True, the countries of East Asia
seem to have failed recently but it is not really due to
the true Asian way. The failure is due to something
unforeseen. Currency trading and raids on the stock
market are not the fault of Asians or their ways or value
system. Any country subjected to such destructive
attacks will fail. Thus the Latin American countries
have failed and so has Russia. And recently even the
rich Western countries have exhibited their vulnerability
to such attacks.
25. So adopting the Asian approach and the Asian way
towards development is still a good strategy. Besides,
there is much to learn from the Asian weaknesses also.
Although they are not peculiarly Asian, as for example
corruption, there is much to be gained from avoiding
these weaknesses.
26. While European-style capitalism should be avoided,
it must be remembered that Europeans have a lot to
contribute also. Besides, the Europeans themselves are
not averse to working with and for Africans. France for
example has expressed a willingness to work closely with
Japan and Malaysia in assisting Africa to develop. The
three have in fact initiated a trilateral cooperation to
assist Africa.
27. The trilateral initiative premised on African
countries taking ownership of their development and with
the overarching objective of building a partnership
rather than a donor recipient relationship with African
countries is a unique approach through which the three
countries hope to contribute, in a modest way, to promote
the social and economic development of African countries.
28. I am sure that Japan and France would sincerely want
to help Africa develop and prosper. As much as Japan
profited from Malaysia's prosperity, Japan and France
will profit even more from African development and
prosperity. Africa is naturally rich. Its resources are
huge. In fact it is these resources that had attracted
the Europeans in the past.
29. Certain parts of Africa have become more peaceful.
The Governments are interested in the development of
their countries and the well-being of their people. But
they are handicapped due to the poverty of their nations
and the lack of experience and expertise.
30. Japan and France and even Malaysia are in a position
to help the Africans overcome their shortcomings. They
can help set up job-creating industries. Africans are
very skillful. With a little orientation the basic
skills can be turned to industrial skills. Industries
should do well in Africa as they have done well in the
countries of Asia, including Southeast Asia.
31. The countries of Africa have lost almost half of a
century. Malaysia had tried in a small way to be of
help. But we are a developing country with meagre
resources. With Japan and France pitching in I am sure
we can make up for the loss of time.
32. Japan's relatively new-found interest in the well-
being of Africa is most welcome. Africans, Asians and
even Europeans will benefit from the stabilisation and
prosperity of Africa brought about by the cooperative
efforts of three continents. I hope this conference on
African development (TICAD II) will help everyone to
focus on Africa. There is everything to gain and nothing
to lose by prospering Africa, a close neighbour in a
shrinking world.
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