Muslims

"It is important to re-examine policies, and make structural changes so that policies and structures do not become objectives in themselves, but rather the means of achieving economic, social and political targets."

"We know we have difficult periods in front of us, but with care and reduced ethnic overtones, and by channelling our energy to productive uses we can bring our vision to reality."

"The only choice left to us is to make everyone equally unhappy... even the indigenous people are not getting all that they ask for, and are consequently just as unhappy and dissatisfied."

"Ethnicity remains a thorn in the Malaysian body, stifling change and progress. But there is no choice for Malaysia and Malaysians. We just have to continue our efforts to bring the different ethnic groups together."

"If the cultures of the non-indigenous peoples are made the basis of a Malaysian national culture, then Malaysia would become simply an appendage... of the countries from which those cultures come."

"While elements of the racial cultures of the different ethnic groups are incorporated into the national culture, each race continues to practise its distinct culture in the environment of its own society."

"The New Economic Policy was conceived with the view to remove the identification of race with economic function."

"The task of moulding a common national culture and to integrate people of differing ethnic groups is... much more difficult today than it was before."

"Malay culture is really a mixed culture in which elements of Chinese and Indian cultures have been absorbed, albeit modified in form."

"The multiracial nature of our society is a fact. It is something that every Malaysian must accept, live and cope with."

"To be otherwise is to delude ourselves. It is a reality that we have to accept and live with... societies must learn to cope with ethnic problems if the world and human civilisation is to have a meaningful future."

"Science, as we know it, is not value-free. This is more so with social sciences. And certainly, a subject such as ethnic relations, which tends to have an emotional overtone cannot be expected to be presented or analysed with pure objectivity."

"We look forward to a world characterised by sincere and constructive partnership and cooperation between the developed and more fortunate countries and the developing and less fortunate ones for their mutual benefit."

"Malaysia welcomes the setting up of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea under the Presidency of His Highness Prince Sihanouk as a positive step towards the peaceful resolution of the Kampuchea issue."

"The Kampuchea issue, if not resolved peacefully and promptly, will also become a threat to world peace and security as continued foreign occupation of Kampuchea has brought in its wake big power rivalry and involvement."

"Killing OPEC is likely to result in more Mexicos, rather than economic recovery."

"For Malaysia and other developing countries it is a case of 'heads I lose, tails you win' all the time."

"We are quite sure that the prices of all manufactured products that developing countries have to buy will continue to rise even when fuel prices go down."

"What is needed is the full backing of the powerful nations. They must revitalise the Organisation which they had created."

"International law and order has truly broken down, giving rise to a situation where might and right is almost synonymous."

"Canada-ASEAN relations can become the model of cooperation between a developed country and a group of developing countries, based on partnership on equal terms and common interest."

"Malaysia, within this context, welcomes Canadian participation in our current national development endeavours, as outlined in the Fourth Malaysia Plan."

"Change and development are integral to any society and nation. The problem that confronts societies and nations, however, is that not all developments are for the better."

"Towards this end, we would urge that France, a country which has historical links with countries in this region, to contribute positively to the political solution of the Kampuchean issue."

"The protraction of the situation in Kampuchea continues to pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability besides encouraging outside involvement and interference in the region. The formation of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea under the Presidency of His Highness Prince Norodom Sihanouk is a welcome development towards achieving such a negotiated political settlement of the Kampuchean issue."

"Our relations with countries of the region and beyond are based on the principles of respect for one another's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and non-use of force or threat of use of force."

"To achieve this objective of regional peace and stability, Malaysia, together with her partners in ASEAN, declared their resolve to make Southeast Asia a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN)."

"What we would like to see is an offset programme whereby purchases and contracts are linked with economic reciprocity of one kind or another."

"Trade missions coming to sell goods here should bring along investors as well. We need investment in new projects to support our industrialisation programme."

"Imagine the consternation among French exporters if Malaysia were to insist that they must use Bahasa Malaysia in all their documentation."

"France... has of late introduced a ruling requiring that all customs import-documents be prepared in French. This is certainly an impediment to a freer flow of trade and constitutes another form of non-tariff barrier."

"In adopting a 'Look East' policy in order to balance foreign influences on our national development, we are not turning our backs on the West completely. The West remains an important partner in our development efforts and French expertise, technology and investment are always welcome."

"While France may not be among Malaysia's major trading partners, she has participated in and contributed to our economic development in the past and continues to do so presently."

"Your visit to Malaysia, Excellency, is the first ever by a Prime Minister of France. I am confident that your visit will contribute to the strengthening of the existing close ties of friendship and cooperation between our two countries."

"Vietnam's military intervention and continued occupation of Kampuchea represents not only a direct interference in the internal affairs of the country, but a threat to the peace and stability of the whole region. The establishment of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea headed by His Highness Prince Norodom Sihanouk is a positive development."

"The motive-force for the success of ASEAN lies in our firm belief in peace and in working together for the prosperity of all in the region."

"It is through this ASEAN spirit and our commitment to the objectives of ASEAN that today we have in our region an association of nations that we can be justly proud of, for the simple reason that it works."

"Malaysia will work closely with Thailand for the preservation of peace and stability in the region."

"These are troubled times: not only have we to contend with a major world-wide economic recession, but also serious challenges to the peace and stability of our region. It is, therefore, all the more imperative that we continue working together both bilaterally and within the context of ASEAN."

"The corner-stone of Malaysia's foreign policy vis-a-vis Thailand is, and will always be, one of good neighbourliness through mutual assistance and cooperation."

"As close neighbours, common sense dictates that in our relations with each other there can be no alternative to mutual trust and the willingness to work together in facing our common problems. Indeed, our two countries are also brought together because of our affinity for each other and the many common perceptions we share."

"Each of these systems is designed to regulate in a fair manner the relations of man, the relations between man and the State; and prescribes a just way of resolving disputes among them. But each system follows different paths. Your deliberations should over a period of time produce a synthesis of laws for the benefit of the whole of ASEAN."

"During your deliberations it is only proper that as professionals you focus on legal justice. But I would like to point out that apart from legal justice, there are other kinds of justice which are also desirable that we should achieve, and that is economic and social justice. The former President of the United States, Mr. Carter in a speech to American lawyers said that in the United States there are many judges and many lawyers but not enough justice. He was referring to legal justice. As head of the Government I am acutely aware of the need to provide the broader kind of justice that I mentioned."

"No man is above the law, not even those in power. Those in power are in fact trustees and their duty is to promote the public good, not self-enrichment."

"I believe in the supremacy of the Constitution. The Malaysian Government will faithfully do its duty as guaranteed to minorities, rights guaranteed to the citizen and in some cases to the non-citizen also. The Constitution is not infallible, having been drafted by mere man. Hence the Constitution also provides for its amendment no doubt to make it compatible with changing times. But the conditions for amendments are such that the Constitution cannot be trifled with at will."

"Malaysia is extremely unhappy at the manipulation of commodity prices by the various exchanges located in the developed countries. Scant regard is paid to the producers. To ensure reasonable prices, such an unhealthy system has to be dismantled."

"The spinoffs of better understanding and goodwill from increased contact and cooperation between our peoples will surely strengthen our friendship."

"The Government of Malaysia fully subscribes to the concept of economic and technical cooperation among developing countries. Malaysians are ready to participate in practical economic and technical programmes with Papua New Guinea. We are your 'wantoks'."

"Our advice to these countries should be that they talk less of their generosity to provide assistance to the poor nations and instead undertake a thorough soul-searching examination."

"They seem incapable of realizing that such libertine activities would only lead to the destruction of the free enterprise system itself."