Prime Ministers Of Malaysia

"In a multiracial society, we must stop making accusations and instead strengthen inter-racial relations."

"Those who give priority to short-term gains are most often involved in corruption and irregularities."

"Let us sacrifice for our religion and our nation, as this will bring lasting benefits."

"We should arrive at work on time but leave 15 minutes later as a voluntary contribution to society and the nation."

"The government cannot succeed without full cooperation from both the public and private sectors."

"I emphasised not only on the heart-to-heart diplomacy, but also the mind-to-mind technology transfer, and hand-in-hand cooperation in building the existing relationship into a mutually beneficial and long lasting one."

"Malaysia is very grateful to the Japanese Government for agreeing to Malaysia's request for a special loan amounting to 50 billion Yen in addition to its pledge of 21 billion Yen for the Ninth Yen Credit. This agreement was most significant in the context of our cooperation in the field of economic development."

"Malaysia has always followed a consistent policy of establishing friendly relations and mutual cooperation with all countries irrespective of ideology or political systems, based on the principles of territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs."

"We cannot and will not accept foreign military intervention in Kampuchea or elsewhere as a means of settling disputes."

"As Muslim countries we cannot but share the anguish of our brethren in West Asia."

"Only by helping each other in the spirit of South-South cooperation, and growing economically strong can we expect to gain the respect and have equitable relations with the developed world."

"International security is not something that can stand alone or be solved separately from other international issues. Indeed international security is a part of, or the result of the political, economic and financial problems that beset the world."

"Faced with this adverse turn of events, the West, particularly America, resorted to tight money policy. At one stage the interest rate went up to 23%. This hurt not only the Third World but even the developed countries of the West."

"To be prepared for war in the 80s involves the investment of fantastic sums. The planes and tanks, the ships and the guns seem almost to be made of gold if their costs are assessed."

"Guerillas and terrorists are good potential customers. Who cares what these people will do with the weapons? The important thing is volume and foreign exchange earnings."

"The poor countries are close to any one of them [superpowers] not because they care for the patron of the moment, it is simply because they have no choice."

"Diplomacy is not possible now. Long before an envoy arrives to convey a message, the contents are already splashed in half the world’s newspapers."

"Basically International Security is a human relations problem. It is a problem of how to get along with the other fellow — a fellow whom you cannot bully into accepting you on your terms."

"Today’s equivalent of gunboat diplomacy is the balance of terror. It is quite fantastic to see how the big powers still believe that they can overcome each other with the number and the destructive capacity of the nuclear warheads at their disposal."

"Nuclear warhead diplomacy or balance of terror tactics are therefore stupid."

"Let us forget our Right to Know, our cameras, televisions, analysis, leaks and probings into the souls of the negotiators. Let us give them a free hand to tackle the task of achieving détente."

"Outside there should be an embargo on all news and comments. Our curiosity will have to remain unassuaged. Everyone must accept that whatever agreement is reached is binding on all."

"It is not our intention to transform Malaysians into Japanese, or to give all contracts to the Japanese and Koreans through our Look East Policy. Rather what we have in mind is to encourage Malaysians to adopt the best of what the Japanese and Koreans have practiced in the development of their countries."

"If the centre of gravity in world affairs is shifting to our part of the globe, and signs are certainly pointing in that direction, then it is only appropriate that we gear ourselves to take on the responsibilities attached to that shift."

"Let us have less bellyaching on the reluctance of others to transfer technology but instead let us focus ourselves on certain areas and concentrate on them."

"Integrity is the hallmark of corporate success. Without it, whatever initiative you have or progress you make will become meaningless."

"There is no problem that cannot be solved if the intention to reach compromise without sacrificing principles is present."

"Whatever achievements made in the national interest has been due to team effort and to the support and cooperation of the people."

"There is a need for all nations to muster the will to put the present world economy in order. The declarations, resolutions and statements emanating from the various economic summits and conferences must be carried into the realm of action."

"It is action that is needed. In order to drive home this point, Malaysia is taking various steps to promote mutual cooperation among countries of the South."

"We should be indefatigable in finding a solution to the problem in West Asia. It is our view that nations should lend their support to the Geneva Declaration and Programme of Action on Palestine."

"We must sensitise ourselves to the cries of agony of the women and children of Afghanistan, Kampuchea and Lebanon."

"Not being known in America is actually a good thing — it means that we are peaceful and stable."

"In the good old days when the world was divided into a number of Empires... the colonised people were given sufficient to survive and no more."

"To manufacture we must have access to the world market. But we see the access being denied even before we embark on the modest industrialisation programme we have drawn up."

"Many developing countries need aid but a substantial number, and Malaysia is one of them, do not care for aid. They want trade, fair trade."

"Preventing the developing countries from industrialising is not doing anyone any good. Everyone is forced to pay high prices when there is an abundance of everything."

"Some people think we are being quixotic. That is left to be seen."

"The NICs are never ever going to displace you. They may in a few unsophisticated areas — and this will be to the good. But on the whole they are going to remain relatively backward."

"We should not allow that dilemma to be solved politically, especially by people with rather dubious credentials."

"My current visit to the United States is aimed at reinforcing this friendly cooperative relationship. I, therefore, look forward to the fresh opportunities during my current visit in Washington to have free and frank exchange of views with President Reagan and members of his Government as well as with other American leaders, including those from the business sector."

"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."

"We hope that we will be able to bequeath a safer, spiritually and economically prosperous and just world to the future generations."

"It is my belief that my official visit to the United States will further strengthen the existing ties of mutual respect and cordial friendship which our two countries happily enjoy."

"Our shared commitments to democratic government and its values, to the free enterprise system and its opportunities, and to the spiritually secure, humane and just society, transcend the gap of physical distance."

"We have no expectation of each other, and we make no demands on each other, beyond these shared interests and values. The positive aspects of our relationship and our shared interests and values far outweigh these occasional differences."

"In the fields of investment and trade, the United States continues to be a significant economic partner for us, and most recently in the field of education, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of our students in this country which, I am convinced, will have long-term benefits."

"If you were to ask me what is it I would want the United States to do with regard to economic policy, my honest and simple response is for the U.S. economy to get ahead and regain its strength, for the healthier and more vibrant the U.S. economy becomes, the better it will be, not only for the United States and Malaysia but all the developing countries in the world."

"We do not expect handouts in our search for a better tomorrow. What we look for are new areas of cooperation and collaboration, particularly in the area of economy and trade interchange to help us in the realization of our aspirations to be a more self-relying and progressive nation."

"Where we differ in respect to perception or policy, I'm gratified to note that there is a willingness on the part of the United States to achieve closer understanding and cooperation."