Mahathir Mohamad

"It is not just skills we are after, but more importantly, the correct attitude to work, including the sense of belonging, which breeds loyalty."

"A prosperous Malaysia will make a better customer and trading partner for Japan."

"It is high time that our businessmen go international and venture to where the markets are, instead of waiting for the markets to come to them."

"Malaysia has always followed a consistent policy of establishing friendly relations and mutual cooperation with all countries, irrespective of ideology or political systems."

"Your Excellency's visit is an important milestone in the development of our bilateral relations."

"It is our desire to see the emergence of a coalition government that is truly representative of the people of Kampuchea."

"As non-aligned countries, both the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Malaysia can play a constructive role in bringing about the peace that we so desire in our respective regions."

"Malaysia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea share similar aspirations... to develop our respective economies and improve the standard of living of our respective peoples."

"Our ability to raise adequate domestic savings to finance our development efforts is a necessary precondition, if we are to succeed in re-structuring our economies to cope with the rapid transformation that is taking place in the world economy today."

"Despite the talk and widespread publicity on foreign assistance, be they official development aid or foreign direct investment, we have all along been depending on ourselves."

"The function of any sound financial system should not only be to intermediate between the savers and the investors, but also to ensure that the less advantaged groups have access to adequate credit at reasonable cost."

"The prices of our primary commodities are set by conveniently labelled 'supply and demand forces' located in the industrial countries."

"The developing countries must seek ways and means of gaining entree into the market place. They should do so not individually but in cooperation with each other."

"Your Excellency's visit which is the first by a Prime Minister of the Netherlands is indeed an honour for Malaysia."

"I have no doubt that your visit will further strengthen the relations and foster greater cooperation between our two countries."

"Your support for the aspirations of the developing countries to effect structural changes to the international economic order cannot go without special mention."

"Malaysia has of late become disenchanted with what is said to be a free market for commodity trading, particularly tin."

"We are urging a producers' association, not in order to jack up prices or to hold the world to ransom, but in order to get fair prices while continuing to stay in the market."

"We do hope that actual direct trade with the Netherlands will increase."

"We are happy to see increased interest by Dutch businessmen in investment opportunities in Malaysia."

"We will not nationalise or expropriate in any way."

"If your shares or your companies are up for sale then we reserve the right to buy if we think that it is worthwhile."

"Malaysia as a member of ASEAN is committed to improve the quality of life of our peoples and to enhance their general well-being."

"We have made it clear that we cannot accept military intervention as a means of settling a zonal problem."

"We firmly believe that such a solution would pave the way for the realisation of our objective of a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality in Southeast Asia."

"Your visit stimulates not only the common desire to enhance further our bilateral relations but also reinforces the political will and commitment to the search for peace for the benefit of all concerned."

"We share identical views on many issues of regional and international importance."

"We must face a future where we must stand on our own feet without the benefit of help from other sources."

"Productivity means increased output without an equal increase in monetary input."

"Work should be enjoyed in the same way that we enjoy playing."

"No one is indispensable because everyone is indispensable."

"A bored worker is as bad as a bored player. He does not win. A bored worker does not produce."

"What we need is a drastic change in attitude on the part of everybody concerned."

"The only answer is greater productivity."

"Everyone should instill in himself a sense of responsibility both to himself and to his country."

"If we can improve our attitudes and regard waste in all its forms as an unforgivable crime directed against ourselves, then we will achieve that high level of productivity so essential to our national development."

"Japan’s greatest asset is human resource in the form of disciplined, hard working people."

"Only a strong Government can champion the cause of the people and bring stability and prosperity to the country."

"The National Front is a team. Its strength lies in its team spirit."

"We believe that the people who should inherit this country and continue with the struggle to achieve our national aspiration shall be the people who believe and uphold the Rukunegara."

"In our interdependent world we have to help and stand by each other."

"Today many traditional ways and customs of our forefathers seem to dissipate readily and be discarded."

"Stretches of ocean lie between our lands but it is never too far or too difficult for us to keep in touch."

"Scientific and technological knowledge like all other forms of knowledge, we believe, increases as you share it with others."

"The poor countries need help — not handouts, but a helping hand for their development."

"The scientific knowledge and technology of the West cannot be simply imported into the country. It must be properly adjusted and adapted in order to fit into the special needs and requirements of the nation."

"We are not about to invent the wheel again, but the application of discoveries and inventions originating elsewhere is part of the exercise in self-reliance."

"Only the most primitive of the discarded industries will find a place in the developing world."

"Scientific knowledge should be used not merely for material development, but also for the enhancement of the quality of life, and the achievement of peace and harmony."

"The coming together of ASEAN countries for the purpose of creating greater business opportunities for those involved in the tourist industry once again demonstrates ASEAN's determination to foster closer cooperation among member countries."