Oleh/By : DATO SERI DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : CAPITOL HILL, U.S.A.
Tarikh/Date : 14-05-2002
Tajuk/Title : THE LUNCHEON TO THE U.S. CONGRESS
' MALAYSIA-AMERICA
FRIENDSHIP CAUCUS
Versi : ENGLISH
Penyampai : PM
This first meeting of the U.S. Congress' Malaysia-
America Friendship Caucus is an auspicious moment in
the relations between our two nations.
2. The tragic events of September 11th has shocked all
of us into realising that no one is truly safe, that
borders and distances are no longer the protective wall
that we believe them to be. Technology has advanced and
along with the good things that it brings must come the
negative, the abuses which will force us to rethink the
things that we had welcome with so much joy and
expectations. At the same time we must realise that
globalisation is not just about economic and business
opportunities, of greater possibilities of making more and
more money. It is also about better communication and
faster travel for those who are bent on doing harm to
those whom they may consider as their enemies; even to
those who are innocent who may be made the victim of the
vengeful, the callous and the anarchic.
3. As much as we must get the whole world to agree to
universal systems for international relations and
business, we must also get the whole world to cooperate
in fighting those who abuse the new internationalism.
In fighting against the terrorists we must agree to act
together and to play our part.
4. We may not like to acknowledge it but the world is
now living in fear. We had happily taken to the air,
flitting from place to place as if we are visiting
friends across the street, or across the town. But we
no longer feel safe even if we fly a short distance.
We cannot even be sure that innocent though we may be,
we will not be the target and the victims of terror
attacks as we go about our work or as we enjoy leisure
in our own country or outside. The world may not think
much of one life lost, but if it is our life which is
lost, we have lost everything.
5. We have to prevent this from happening. The world
must be made safe again. The world can be made safe if
instead of subscribing to the idea that terror can be
fought with terror, indeed that terror can be fought
with greater terror, we revert to achieving greater
understanding between people and to the building up of
friendship between them.
6. The United States and Americans were the most
liked people not so long ago. In Malaysia we were
grateful to America because we were liberated from
Japanese occupation by Americans largely. Americans
were our heroes and our friends. The first person to
condemn British colonisation of the Malay states was
Rupert Emerson, an American professor. He wrote his
book "Malaysia" before the Second World War, long
before we called our country Malaysia; at a time when
we were known to the world as Malaya. He was
omniscient. He foresaw Malaysia before we even thought
about independence and the unification of the Malay
States into Malaysia.
7. After our independence in 1957 we welcomed the
American Peace Corp. They did immense work to seal the
friendship between Malaysians and indeed the peoples of
other developing countries with America. The United
States became the best friend of the colonial people
seeking independence and their friend and guide after
independence. The United States gladly gave
independence to the Philippines.
8. America and the American people were the best
friends of all the oppressed people of the world. But
America also remained the best friend of the Europeans
as the Marshall Plan made economic recovery possible
for the European countries. Clearly America was the
best friend of the world. In the confrontations
between the Communist bloc and the Western bloc few had
any difficulty in choosing America and the West.
9. When the confrontation ended with the defeat of
the Communist bloc the world saw a period of world
peace and unprecedented prosperity. The world even
welcomed the role of the United States as the
policeman, the law keeper of the world.
10. I would be lying if I say that the world still see
the United States of America as the friend that they
knew. Yet there is every reason and every possibility
for the United States and the Americans to be once
again the universal friend of the world. All that is
needed is to be more gentle when faced with
recalcitrant nations and people. People tend to
respond more positively to the friendly approach than
to confrontations. Pushed into a corner, even the
weakest will fight. Victory over them will really not
mean much.
11. A Malaysian was asked by the United Nations to
persuade Burma to be democratic and more conciliatory
towards Aung San Su Kyi. Persuasion must take time.
We think we are making progress. The Malaysian
Government has not been asked to do anything but we try
to help Burma make the transition by assuring the
military Government leaders that they will not end in
jail if they opt for democracy.
12. One must remember that when Ershad of Bangladesh
and Choon Doo Hwan were persuaded to accept democracy,
they both ended in jail, Choon Doo Hwan being sentenced
to death. The fate of Suharto is not encouraging
either for dictators to give up power in favour of
democracy.
13. To cut a long story short, the Burmese Junta is
now less resistant towards a switch to democracy. They
have released a substantial number of their political
prisoners. It is not easy for them. Already attempts
are being made to topple the Junta. They have to be
careful if they want to stay in power to make the
transition.
14. The West is very impatient. You want an overnight
change. Sudden change even if it is for the good is
disruptive. Democracy for people who are not used to
it can undermine stability resulting in war even.
Sadly it does not compare well with the safety and
stability achieved by an authoritarian society. So let
there be patience. The loss in time is made up by the
gain in the smoothness of the transition. It is well
to remember that democracy is only a means and not an
end in itself. It is the good life that democracy
brings that counts, not democracy per se.
15. We in Malaysia understand Americans' anxiety to
see that the freedom that they enjoy should be enjoyed
also by Malaysians and other people. But we must admit
that at the moment we are unable to accept the absolute
freedom that you believe in. There are certain
freedoms that you enjoy which we think we can do
without. We hope you can tolerate our different sense
of values. One day perhaps we will be comfortable with
your values. But for the moment we are not
comfortable. Let us celebrate the difference for that
is what makes the world interesting.
16. If we can accept that there will always be
differences between us, differences in culture, values
and opinions then we will be more tolerant of each
other. Then we will be able to live in peace and
friendship with each other. As you know three very
different people live in Malaysia. Apart from ethnic
differences, we differ in religious beliefs, languages
and cultures. Despite all these we can live together,
work together and play together. Not many multi-ethnic
countries are able to enjoy peace, harmony and
development. We have, because we accept the
differences between us.
17. I am not trying to hold Malaysia up as a shining
example to the world. But you will agree with me that
being sensitive and tolerant helps peoples of different
races, different countries to be at peace with each
other. In fact we can be great friends despite our
differences. When the United States of America was
young you appreciated the recognition and support of
whatever country irrespective of their ethnic and
religious differences. Moreover, an Arab Muslim
country was among the first to recognise and cooperate
with you. With the passage of time the whole world
came to recognise and respect you. And you grew into
the great country that you are today.
18. Today you can afford to use your power and
strength. But it would do you no harm to be friendly
to other countries, to be patient with them and to win
them over to your side.
19. I am sure that at least with Malaysia, you as
members of this caucus will contribute much to greater
understanding and friendship between our two countries
and our people. We have nothing to lose but everything
to gain, even though by virtue of different sizes
Malaysia will gain more.
Sumber : Pejabat Perdana Menteri
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