Oleh/By		:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	NUKUALOFA, TONGA 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	07/06/82 
Tajuk/Title  	: 	THE STATE FEAST, 




Your Royal Highnesses Prince Tu'ipelehake and Princess Melenaite
Tupoumoheafo, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and
Gentlemen.

May I thank you very much for your kind and generous words of welcome. It
is truly an honour and privilege to have the opportunity to visit this
enchanting Kingdom of Tonga. My wife and I and members of my delegation
are overwhelmed by the warmth and friendship shown to us in the short time
that we are here.

2. My visit here today is to renew the friendly ties between our two
countries and to bring to the Government and People of Tonga the warmest
greetings from the Government and people of Malaysia. I hope to get to
know you better at first hand myself and to learn of your aspirations,
problems and interests. As an island nation, no doubt you possess unique
interests and special needs. I look forward to gaining a deeper
understanding and learning more about them in our talks tomorrow.

3. Tonga and Malaysia are part of the wider Asia Pacific region. But
because of poor communications, our two nations, have had only limited
contacts. Occasionally we had the honour of receiving your leaders in our
country.

However, we do have a number of things in common. We share many similar
hopes and ideals, and as small developing countries it is our cherished
vision and goal to advance the socio-economic well-being of our people and
to strive to promote peace and stability conducive for such efforts.

4. I am sure that there exists many possible areas of cooperation between
Tonga and Malaysia and efforts must be made to explore them. In our
interdependent world we have to help and stand by each other. Malaysia is
committed to the promotion of economic and technical cooperation among
developing countries. Each of us while at varying degree of economic
development, do hold valuable assets whether in terms of resources,
experience or know-how that could be shared around. For us, we are happy
to participate in meaningful and practical programmes of economic and
technical cooperation with others. May I say that my government is ready
to extend technical assistance in those fields which we have the
experience and expertise and within our resources to your country in areas
appropriate to Tonga's requirement. This is only a modest beginning; but
Malaysians would certainly be enriched by a more active interaction with
the people of Tonga and we welcome you to our shores.

5. In the current disquieting international environment where there is
increased tension and the ready resort to use of force in the settlement
of disputes, it is heartening that the South Pacific region remains
relatively tranquil and crisis-free. Your national well being and
political stability have indeed mirrored the pragmatism and wisdom of
Tongan leaders and the resilience of your people.

6. Like Tonga, Malaysia wholeheartedly subscribes to regional
cooperation. We realize that we have to face an increasing number of
issues and challenges; and this we can do better as a region than as a
lone nation. Through regional cooperation we can pool our resources and be
in a better position to bargain at the conference table or to promote
growth internally. In my part of the world, our approach to regionalism
finds expression in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) which was established some 15 years ago. ASEAN has grown over the
years, infusing regional confidence and impetus towards economic and
social cooperation amongst its members. ASEAN has also evolved as a
cohesive political factor in Southeast Asia today, speaking with one voice
on questions affecting the region's peace and stability.

7. Regionalism is also rapidly gaining momentum in the South Pacific. The
role played by Tonga in this regard is most laudable. I am happy to note
that the South Pacific Forum and the South Pacific Bureau for Economic
Cooperation (SPEC) have contacts with ASEAN, thus enhancing on a regional
basis the links that our two countries have.

Your Highness, 

8. Today many traditional ways and customs of our forefathers seem to
dissipate readily and be discarded. In the South Pacific region, you are
blessed with diversity and an abundance of firm traditions. Here I am
struck by the healthy habit which Tongans have retained, of consultation
and consensus. In this way you have succeeded in dealing with issues, big
or small, with true understanding and dialogue.

Your Highness, 

9. I am deeply moved by the honour accorded to me, my wife and members of
my delegation by your special welcome. It is inevitable that the
friendship between Tonga and Malaysia remain secure within the
Commonwealth and our common Asia Pacific region. Stretches of ocean lie
between our lands but it is never too far or too difficult for us to keep
in touch. I am confident that we can develop a continuous and meaningful
communication with each other.

10. Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, may I
invite you to join me in a toast to His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou, His
Royal Highness Prince Tu'ipelehake, and the government and people of the
Kingdom of Tonga and to the further strengthening of friendship and
cooperation between our two countries.