Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR.MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SABAH ROOM, SHANGRI-LA HOTEL,
KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 28/10/2003
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF INTERNATIONAL
CENTRE FOR LEADERSHIP IN
FINANCE (ICLIF)
Versi : ENGLISH
Penyampai : PM
I am honoured to address this distinguished
gathering of CEOs in our country. The formation of this
organisation is a landmark in terms of the development
of leaders in finance in Malaysia. This is a very
significant contribution and initiative as having
outstanding leaders both in the private and public are
a pre-requisite for achieving our Vision 2020. We are
now mid- way towards our Vision 2020 of being a fully
developed nation in our own mould. We have taken
important strides towards it but in these uncertain
times, we cannot afford to be complacent and let things
just roll along.
2. We need to look at where we are today and how we
have reached this stage in our development. This is
important, as we have not blindly adopted the Western
model of development. We have found our own unique
path, and have learnt considerably in the process. Our
attitudes and what we had done in the past, correctly
or incorrectly can serve to guide us in the future.
3. When Malaysia became independent in 1957, the
population was only five million and the per capita
income was U.S. Dollar 300. Today Malaysia's population
is 25 million and the per capita is almost U.S. Dollar
4,000. All this has not happened by accident. Malaysia
has planned, strategised, introduced policies and
methods which are largely market oriented throughout
the various national development plans and more
importantly has effectively implemented these plans.
We are bound neither by socialist nor capitalist
ideologies. We are pragmatists, doing what is possible
and ignoring idealistic dreams.
4. This has enabled the government to chart the
direction for the country. At the time of gaining
independence Malaysia was an agricultural country,
depending almost exclusively on rubber and a fairly big
tin mining industry. While the population was growing,
the production of rubber and tin was not able to create
the wealth and the job opportunities for them.
5. The only way was to industrialise. But Malaysia
lacked industrial expertise, capital or management
skills or knowledge of the market. When other newly
independent countries were nationalising foreign
holdings and closing their markets to foreign goods, we
decided to invite foreigners to start manufacturing
industries in Malaysia. We were prepared to forego
taxes because we wanted to create jobs for our people,
We also wanted to learn about the manufacturing
industry, to absorb the technology so we may reduce our
dependence on foreign investors. And learn we did.
Today many of our industries are Malaysian owned and
managed.
6. Such was the success of our strategy that today 82
percent of Malaysia's exports of nearly U.S. Dollar 100
billion a year or 380 billion Ringgit is made up of
manufactured goods. Because we have absorbed the
technology and management skills today a growing
portion of the manufactured goods is by Malaysian owned
and managed companies.
7. The industrialisation spurred the growth of the
Malaysian economy, creating jobs and increasing
disposable incomes and also creating a need for
adequate modern infrastructure. And so roads, railways,
power plants, water supply, ports, airports have been
and are being built. Building these not only
contributes to the expansion of the economy but also
provides opportunities for acquiring civil engineering
technology and skills. Today we are able to export
these skill. But throughout we have been very careful
in the management of our money, expanding only at a
rate that we can afford, and borrowing only what we can
pay.
8. The government has always closely followed the
technological advancements in the world and has
encouraged the acquisition of new technologies for new
industries. When I.T. looked like being an important
source for growth, the government immediately responded
and encouraged I.T. by providing money and incentives
for local and foreign investment in this area.
9. Research and development have always been given
strong support by the government. Laboratories set up
by the government have successfully helped to increase
the productivity of Malaysian industries. The Malaysian
rubber trees produce ten times more rubber than the
original tree brought from Brazil. Similarly the
Malaysian oil palm bears fruit in the 4th year instead
of the 7th year of the original tree. The yield per
tree is also greater. Now the research is in the I.T.
field and already Malaysians are producing their own
computers and other hardware as well as software for
domestic use and for exports.
10. With our capability to successfully develop and
manage our economy, Malaysia is now regarded as a model
for developing countries. Many officials and leaders
from developing countries have come to study our
development experience. Malaysian officials have often
been invited by other countries to provide advice and
training in various aspects of administration and
development.
11. These achievements require a shift in the mindset
of Malaysians towards the adoption of positive values
and attitudes, especially perseverance and
determination, willingness to compete, self-confidence,
resilience and readiness to innovate. We have always
been prepared to learn from other countries and adapt
their policies to suit our needs and environment. For
example, more than two decades ago, with the adoption
of the Look East Policy, we learnt to emulate the work
ethics and culture of the Japanese and Koreans that
emphasise dedication, discipline and loyalty as well as
diligence towards attaining national development. We
also instilled the principle of clean, efficient and
trustworthiness as well as leadership by example. The
public service has been built on the principle of
efficiency, discipline and quality.
12. The foundation of the knowledge based economy that
is the bedrock of our Vision 2020 is eventually based
on having a stream of well-trained people managing the
key assets of the country. We need to build our human
capital and that means producing and nurturing our own
leaders benchmarked against the best in the world. We
need to continuously strive to bring about a paradigm
shift in the mindset of Malaysians so that we can
become a more responsible, modern and progressive
society, with sharp thinking skills, proud of our
achievements and confidence in our abilities, in line
with the information age. We need to build systems and
institutions that encourage learning at all levels and
continuously.
13. The Malaysian Government in our Third Outline
Perspective Plan tabled on 3 April 2000 at the
Parliament highlighted the importance of Lifelong
Learning. Lifelong learning will and is becoming
increasingly important in the knowledge-based economy
where knowledge and skills need to be continuously
updated and upgraded. New skills and expertise will be
required to improve employability and productivity. The
old idea that once you are trained for something then
you continue to do the same thing over and over again
for years and years is no longer tenable. Your work
and your skills will have to change with the continuous
technological changes over time.
14. The Government has initiated efforts to promote
and implement programs for lifelong learning.
Affordable accessibility to training courses and
education programs through the Internet or other ICT-
related media is being provided so that Malaysians have
the opportunity to acquire new competencies and
qualifications for career advancement. More I.T. kiosks
and cyber centres will be set up by the Government,
especially in the rural areas, to increase
accessibility to education and training. In addition,
the establishment of community colleges, open
universities and distance education will provide
avenues for Malaysians to pursue tertiary education and
upgrade their skills and qualifications. The
establishment of community colleges will also provide
opportunities particularly to those who leave the
school system to join the labour market, to further
their education and training. Financial institutions
will also be encouraged to provide soft loans to
working adults to continue their education. The
Employees Provident Fund provides an avenue for
Malaysians to finance their own education. Employers
will be encouraged to promote lifelong learning and
retraining to equip workers with new skills and
knowledge so that they can keep up with the steady
stream of technological advances.
15. I greatly commend the efforts of Bank Negara to
create an institution, the International Centre for
Leadership in Finance, (ICLIF) as a centre for lifelong
learning and excellence amongst leaders in Asia. I hope
it is able to integrate the ideas of the East and the
West to evolve a unique model for leadership
development applicable to both private and public
sector. We are living at a very interesting stage in
the history of development and the development of
leaders is critical for sustainable economic growth not
only of our nation, but our region as a whole.
16. I wish ICLIF all the very best and hope that it
becomes a shining beacon of excellence in executive
education, not just in Asia but also around the world.
Sumber : Pejabat Perdana Menteri
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