"ASEAN's commitment transcends limited and localised national outlooks, and so renders possible a more daring programme for the future based on a peaceful and stable Southeast Asia."

"We do not believe in double standards in the conduct of international relations."

"Relations, if it is to be durable, must be based on the mutually accepted norms of equality and respect. There cannot be any compromise on this."

"For us to opt for super-power collusion would be submitting ourselves to be pawns in their conflicts and rivalries."

"The development of good relationship between our two countries is also a task for the leaders as well as of the people."

"Malaysia’s adherence to the principles of ASEAN cooperation is not altruistic. It is enlightened self-interest."

"We cannot prosper alone in a region that is in turmoil and unstable. To prosper we have to have the kind of regional environment that is conducive to economic growth."

"ASEAN should inject new ideas in industrial cooperation... the country with the biggest market would enjoy the most benefits even if the product was manufactured by a smaller country."

"In industrial complementation, perhaps the private sector should play a more vigorous role."

"We are heavily dependent on external services in shipping, and the rising freight charges are an additional burden to the balance of payments of ASEAN countries."

"ASEAN as a whole constitutes a major producer of conventional energy such as gas and petroleum. Yet we lack the infrastructure and technology to fully exploit our natural resources."

"Despite our disappointment in solving commodity problems, ASEAN should continue to adopt a collective approach and joint efforts in pursuing international economic issues."

"ASEAN’s resilience and success serves as a model and shining example to other developing countries on meaningful economic cooperation."

"We are indeed very happy to have this privilege of hosting the Fourth General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organisation or AIPO."

"Despite the various efforts made by us to secure fair terms of trade, we have, we must admit, largely been unsuccessful."

"The aspirations of the peoples and Governments of our countries for a New International Economic Order have not only been ignored but their terms of trade continue to be made more inequitable."

"We in Southeast Asia have entered an era fraught with unprecedented perils."

"The ASEAN Parliament may yet be a forum for the successful coordination of our development and progress."

"Lately I have been exhorting Malaysians to emulate the Japanese, particularly in work ethics and ethical values."

"The West is no longer a suitable model. They have lost their drive. They still want the good life but are not prepared to face the realities of a world market which they can no longer dominate."

"When we ask Malaysians to look East, it is not so much your living standard that we are thinking about. That will come... What we are interested in is your work ethics."

"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."