REMARKS BY
HIS EXCELLENCY DATO’ SERI DR. IBRAHIM SAAD,
AMBASSADOR OF MALAYSIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
AT THE 53rd MALAYSIA NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION
31 AUGUST 2010, HERITAGE HOTEL, MANILA
The Honourable Alberto G. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines;
His Excellency Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps;
Honourable Secretaries, Honourable Governors, Honourable Mayors;
Members of the diplomatic corps, officials from the Government of the Philippines and the Embassy of Malaysia;
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
On this auspicious occasion, Malaysians everywhere are celebrating Hari Merdeka to commemorate the birth of the Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia) fifty-three years ago.
2. This year, the theme chosen for Malaysia’s National Day is “1Malaysia: Transforming the Nation”. This theme reflects the 1Malaysia Concept of the Honourable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, in bringing the nation towards greater unity and success under one banner regardless of religion, race and creed. The “1Malaysia: Transforming the Nation” celebration will focus on the Malaysian people’s prosperity under the 1Malaysia Concept.
3. Essential also to the 1Malaysia Concept is the recognition that accountability and transparency are important ingredients for good governance. The increased emphasis on performance and delivery to the people will support further liberalization of the Malaysian economy and inclusive economic opportunity. The Malaysian economy had a second quarter growth rate of 8.9% and a first quarter growth rate of 10.9%.
4. Since Malaysia’s independence on 31st August 1957, Malaysia has continued to move forward with purpose, remain strong and stand united as a nation in the face of domestic adversity and global challenges. Throughout the years, Malaysia has achieved many successes – national and regional development, foreign relations, economic growth and social development. While development has been phenomenal, the country has not compromised its history and heritage although it developed modern infrastructure and industries rapidly. More and more places in Malaysia have been designated UNESCO heritage sites.
5. Malaysia in a way is a unique country, blessed with various ethnicities, culture, languages and religions living together in peace and harmony. Malaysians whether Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban or Kadazan-Dusuns are hand in hand in understanding, mutual respect, community involvement and working together in creating one Malaysia which we will be proud to leave behind for future generations.
6. It is pleasing to note that there is a sizable Malaysian community in the Philippines. I am proud to say that they have carried the name of Malaysia exemplarily and have built an honest and hardworking reputation for themselves over the years in this country.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
7. Last year, bilateral trade between Malaysia and the Philippines totalled in excess of US$3.1 billion and Malaysia is the Philippine’s second largest trading partner in ASEAN. I am confident that in the years ahead, more Malaysian companies will venture into the Philippines given the political stability and economic resurgence brought about by the new administration under President Aquino III.
8. Bilateral relations have also been continuously enhanced. Recently, there were a number of high level visits from Malaysia to the Philippines – that of the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development; and the Minister of Defence in the last two months. I am confident that more exchanges of visits will take place in the near future; not only at the Ministerial level but also at the highest level. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs will also be visiting the Philippines in mid-September. I look forward to a visit by President Aquino III to Malaysia as well as a visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia here in the near future.
9. The good state of bilateral relations also extends to cooperation in other areas such as Defence. We have witnessed the joint training of our military officers under the Malaysian Defence Cooperation Programme which has proved to be highly successful. On the other hand, the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme has also been very beneficial in the exchanges of experiences, information and human resources among government officials of both countries.
10. Indeed, there are unlimited opportunities for cooperation between both countries. This include in areas such as investment, tourism, education, finance, social development, infrastructure development, agriculture and other vital sectors.
11. I am confident that in the years ahead, Malaysia under the leadership of The Honourable Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak; and the Philippines under His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III will further guide these close relations to new and greater heights.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
12. Malaysia has played an active and engaging role in brokering peace including here in Mindanao. Malaysia has been the Third Party Facilitator for the GRP-MILF Peace Talks since 2001. Malaysia also leads the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao to help ensure a positive environment which is a very important ingredient for any peace process. Malaysia is confident that its continued role in facilitating the peace process in Mindanao will bring about peace and development to Southern Philippines.
13. We have also played an active role in fostering peace and understanding across the globe and in providing humanitarian assistance to the unfortunate. This comes through out active participation in the peacekeeping missions under the United Nations all over the world. Sometimes, Malaysian individuals are also eager to do their part as reflected in the Freedom Flotilla of May 2010 which was aimed at providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate Malaysia’s appreciation to the Philippines Government for its support in providing consular assistance to the 12 Malaysian nationals who were detained after the raid on the Flotilla earlier this year.
14. On the regional front, Malaysia and the Philippines have led the way in the continued development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As founding members of ASEAN, Malaysia and the Philippines share the same solidarity, vision and ideals in strengthening regional cooperation in the years ahead. This is especially important in the context of realising an ASEAN Community by 2015. The ASEAN Community will be made of various multi-ethnic groups in Southeast Asia which are united under one ASEAN Identity. In realising an ASEAN Community, people-to-people contacts are crucial. To increase communication and interaction within ASEAN, it is also important to develop infrastructure networks, trade, investment, tourism, cultural integration and information technology. It is important to note that ASEAN is developing a Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity which will enhance connectivity in the region as a whole.
15. In addition ASEAN economic cooperation has undergone a transformation process with the entry into force of in 2010 of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Dialogue Partners like China, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea. Free trade is the backbone of the increase in trade between ASEAN and countries in other regions. To promote the protection of human rights in the region, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and ASEAN Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) were also established.
16. Malaysia and the Philippines have also cooperated well in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) which was launched in 1994 to improve the social and economic development of our countries and regions. Both countries have also cooperated healthily on other regional fronts such as the East Asia Summit (EAS), the Non-Align Movement (NAM) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
17. On the 53rd Anniversary of the National Day of Malaysia, on behalf of the Malaysian people I wish to offer my warmest greetings to His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines and the Filipino people. May the Philippines continue to enjoy peace and prosperity in the years ahead. I am also confident that bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and the Philippines will continue to grow from strength to strength to reach greater heights.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
18. May I now invite you all to join me in a toast to the continued good health and prosperity of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines and the People of the Philippines; and to the close and warm bonds of friendship and cooperation between Malaysia and the Philippines.
MABUHAY! & maraming salamat.