Oleh/By : DATO SERI DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SERI PERDANA, PUTRAJAYA
Tarikh/Date : 12/08/2002
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOUR OF
HIS EXCELLENCY DR MARI BIM
AMUDE ALKATIRI PRIME MINISTER OF
THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
TIMOR LESTE
Versi : ENGLISH
Penyampai : PM
It is a pleasure to extend a warm welcome to Your
Excellency Dr Mari Bim Amude Alkatiri, Prime Minister
of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, and the
distinguished members of your delegation to Malaysia.
I am indeed honoured that Your Excellency has chosen
Malaysia as the first country to visit since assuming
the office of Prime Minister of your newly independent
country. I hope that you and members of your
delegation will have a pleasant and fruitful stay in
Malaysia.
2. I would also like to take this opportunity to
congratulate the people of Timor Leste on their
independence, the first independent nation of the new
millennium. The road to nationhood has been long. It
has required difficult decisions and severe sacrifices.
The Timorese Leste should be very proud of their
achievement.
3. As the Timorese Leste now set out to shape their
own destiny, they will face trials and challenges.
While they succeeded in one challenge - winning the
independence - this only paves the way for many more.
I am confident that with the support of the people and
countries of this region, Your Excellency and the
Government of Timor Leste can rebuild and develop your
country towards realising the aspirations of your
people for a peaceful and prosperous country.
4. I am happy to note that cooperation and relations
between Timor Leste and Malaysia have been, and
continue to be further strengthened. Malaysia was
among the first to set up a Liaison Office in Dili in
April 2000 in our efforts to foster and facilitate
closer cooperation and relations with Timor Leste. As
you are aware, Your Excellency, we have since upgraded
the Liaison Office to a full-fledged Embassy on 20 May
this year, in conjunction with Timor Leste
independence. Also, we welcome the establishment of
your embassy here and the recent appointment of a
resident Ambassador, His Excellency Djafar Alcatiri.
5. As a newly independent country, Timor Leste will
have to face many challenges in the years ahead, yet be
assured that Malaysia's commitment to develop close and
mutually beneficial relations with your country will
continue. We will maintain our cooperation with you in
your development efforts within our capacities and
abilities, under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation
Programme (MTCP). We will continue to provide training
for Timor Leste Defence Force personnel to help them
increase their capabilities in maintaining peace and
stability in your country. We are supportive of the
continued and important presence of UNMISET (United
Nations Mission of Support for Timor Leste) to ensure
the smooth implementation of the process of nation-
building in your country. Also, as you are aware,
Malaysia participated in various capacities under
UNTAET (the United Nations Transitional Administration
in Timor Leste).
6. We recognise that current economic relations
between our countries are unimpressive, yet there
exists potential for trade and investment between our
countries. We must endeavour to develop these
potentials. I have been made to understand that there
are already 90 Malaysian businessmen in Timor Leste
involved in various economic activities such as
consulting and accounting; hotel and restaurants; and
commerce and general trading. I am confident that this
level of relations can be further expanded. On our
part, Malaysia will continue to encourage its private
sector to go to Timor Leste and see for themselves the
opportunities available for the mutual benefit of our
two countries, among others in areas such as petroleum
and gas exploration, infrastructure development,
banking and insurance and agriculture. It is also my
hope that Timor Leste would facilitate and assist
Malaysian entrepreneurs in their endeavours.
7. From our own experience with independence in 1957,
we recognise the importance of fully developing our
economy and ensuring that the country's wealth is
equitably distributed. We have since then embarked on
various development programmes through our New Economic
Policy, and presently our National Development Policy.
We have aimed at transforming our economy from a
commodity-based agricultural economy to a resilient,
modern and diversified economy. With the right
policies and right support, I believe that your country
can develop and prosper. I believe you can tap the
energy of your new struggle for development.
8. As a part of Southeast Asia, your country will
play an important role in ensuring the continued
development, peace and stability of this region. As
developing countries, we in this region must foster
close cooperation to collectively ensure that our
interest are taken into account. We hope to see your
country play an active role in this region - a role of
maintaining peace; of creating economic partnerships
between countries; and of increasing our cross-national
and cross-cultural understanding. This engagement in
the region is possible and necessary.
9. Malaysia welcomes the intention of President
Gusmao to make a visit to Malaysia and we look forward
to receiving him in the near future. I too plan to
visit your country at the end of this year. It is my
belief that through such exchanges, we will be able to
create better understanding and awareness between our
two countries as well as to realise the full potential
of our relationship.
Sumber : Pejabat Perdana Menteri
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