REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY DATO SERI DR. IBRAHIM SAAD,
AMBASSADOR OF MALAYSIA TO THE PHILIPPINES
AT MALAYSIA’S 54th NATIONAL DAY / AIDILFITRI / MALAYSIA DAY
JOINT RECEPTION AT SHANGRI LA HOTEL MAKATI
16 SEPTEMBER 2011, 7.00 PM - 9.00 PM
The Honourable Esteban B. Conejos, Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines;
His Excellency Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps;
Honourable Secretaries, Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Mayors, Business and Community Leaders;
Members of the diplomatic corps, officials from the Government of the Philippines and the Embassy of Malaysia;
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
2. Today, the 16th September 2011 is a very important day for Malaysia, as it marks the joining together of the Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore to establish Malaysia on that same date in 1963. The 31st of August this year was another momentous and auspicious day for all Malaysians (or Malaya at that time). Malaysians everywhere, at home and across the world joined hands in peace and unity to proudly celebrate the independence of Malaysia on 31st August 1957. I would also like to take this opportunity to warmly wish my fellow Muslims a very happy Eid ul-Fitri and Selamat Hari Raya, which fell on the 30th of August 2011, or one day before Malaysia’s Independence Day.
3. In this regard, on the joint occasion of Malaysian Day, Malaysia’s 54th National Day and Eid ul-Fitr, it is with great honour and pleasure that I extend our heartiest felicitations to our Filipino friends and fellow Malaysians in the Republic of the Philippines.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
4. Malaysia is celebrating its National Day this year with a theme of “1Malaysia: Successful Transformation, Prospering the People”. This theme is the reflection of Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak’s vision of “1Malaysia: People First; Performance Now.” The Prime Minister has also taken the lead in implementing various initiatives to build on the past successes such as the Government Transformation Program; the Economic Transformation Program; and the New Economic Model which are all starting to show positive results. These comprehensive initiatives, coupled with the implementation of the 10th Malaysia Plan, are the foundations that will propel Malaysia towards the goal of becoming a high income, sustainable, inclusive and developed economy by 2020.
5. Malaysia is blessed in that it is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural country. We have drawn strength from our diversity. For the past 54 years since our independence, Malaysia has enjoyed political stability and economic progress. Malaysians continue to live in peace and harmony, and benefit from the fruits of growth and development.
6. I am also very happy that the vibrant Malaysian community in Manila, as well as all over the Philippines, have carried themselves very well as responsible, hardworking and caring Malaysians. I thank you and salute you for your continuous efforts in carrying and upholding the good name of our beloved country.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
7. Bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Philippines remain in very good stead. Relations continue to be enhanced with high level exchanges of visits between both countries, such as the working visit to the Philippines by the Honourable Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 20 to 24 January 2011. This important visit was followed by Secretary Del Rosario to Kuala Lumpur from 31 March to 1 April, soon after his appointment as Secretary of Foreign Affairs. The Malaysian Foreign Minister made another significant visit here to lead the Malaysian delegation to the 7th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) between both countries on 14 and 15 April this year. The last JCM was held in Malaysia in April 2006.
8. Indeed, 2011 witnessed a number of other high level visits from Malaysia, amongst others, by His Royal Highness Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, Sultan of Johor from 28 to 29 April. The visit, in which His Royal Highness met with President Aquino twice in the span of 3 days, reflected the close family ties between the Aquino and Johor Royal families. It is recalled that the late Benigno Aquino jr. stopped over in Johor to meet with the late Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Ismail, on the former’s fateful journey back to the Philippines in 1983. The Honourable Datuk Dr. Abd. Latiff Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Defence also undertook a working visit to the Philippines from 7 to 9 April 2011; where he met with His Excellency Voltaire Gazmin, Secretary of National Defence and Her Excellency Teresita Deles, Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process. He also visited International Monitoring Team in Cotabato City. From 31 May to 3 June, the Honourable Datuk Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malaysia visited Manila where he led the Malaysian delegation to the 3rd ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Caucus. In addition to the visit by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs as mentioned earlier, His Excellency Jesse Robredo, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government visited Malaysia to attend the 2nd General Police Equipment Exhibition and Conference Asia 2011 from 27 to 29 June, where he also met with the Honourable Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Minister of Home Affairs. Indeed, these high level visits have demonstrated the close relations between both countries and contributed as a catalyst for the continued enhancement of bilateral relations. Moreover, these exchanges of visits have provided the platform for more progressive and productive cooperation in various fields such as political and security, trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, education, health and air services.
9. The close relations between the leaders and senior government officials of both countries have also led to greater bilateral trade and investment cross-flows. From 2006 to 2010, bilateral trade between both countries averaged US$5billion annually. Total bilateral trade has increased from US$3.05 billion in 2009 to US$3.83 billion in 2010, or about an annual increase of 26 percent. The Government of Malaysia and the Philippines will continue to persuade and encourage the private sector to explore the vast trade and investment opportunities available in both countries. I am glad to note that various major Malaysian companies have a presence in the Philippines, such as Resorts World, PETRONAS and Maybank. I am confident that in the years ahead, more Malaysian companies will venture into the Philippines given the prevalent political stability, economic vitality and promotion of President Aquino’s Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) initiative. On the same note, I am happy that Philippine industry leaders such as San Miguel Corp. are in the final stages of acquiring ESSO Malaysia for about US$610 million. May I take this opportunity to assure you that the Malaysian Embassy will continue to help Philippine businessmen and industry to identify business and investment opportunities in Malaysia. To achieve this, we have officially opened a specifically dedicated Trade Office at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.
10. Malaysia has seen constant growth at about 4 percent to 5 percent of GDP since the recent global financial crisis of the early 2000s. In 2010, the Malaysian economy grew by 7.2 percent, and is expected to grow by 5 to 6 percent this year. We have achieved this through our various initiatives mentioned earlier. I am pleased to note that we have shared our experiences in developing our predominantly agriculture-based economy in the 1970s with a GDP per capita of US$700, to a manufacturing and growing services-based economy with GDP per capita of US$8,000 today. For the purpose of sharing our experiences with fellow developing countries, the Malaysian Government has introduced the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program or MTCP in 1980. I am happy to share with you that as of June 2011, a total of 956 participants from the Philippines have undergone various specialised MTCP courses in Malaysia in various fields such as governance, leadership and finance. Malaysia had also hosted participants from more than 102 countries under the MTCP. In addition, this experience sharing also extends to cooperation in other areas such as Defence under the Malaysian Defence Cooperation Programme or MDCP. We have witnessed the joint training of our military officers under the MDCP in Kuala Lumpur and Manila, which have proved to be highly successful for both countries. Malaysia has been sending its military officers to the Philippine Defence College on an annual basis. In 2010, a total of 15 Malaysian military officers attended such courses. Malaysia will continue to offer MTCP and MDCP courses to Philippine participants as it has proven to be highly beneficial in forging greater Malaysia-Philippine friendships at both the macro and micro level.
11. Tourism cooperation has also grown encouragingly. In 2010, Filipinos travelling to Malaysia amounted to nearly 500,000 rising from about 450,000 the previous year. Indeed, Filipinos have provided a significant number of arrivals to Malaysia over the past few years. On this note, I am encouraged by the increasing air connectivity between both countries, particularly as a result from President Aquino’s new Open Skies policy. Soon, we will be able to hop onto any of the array of flights between both countries by Malaysian and Philippine carriers. We should also look forward to closer tourism cooperation in increasing tourist cross-flows by offering complimenting packages to our countries’ tourist destinations. I believe there is much more to be gained when we work together in attracting more tourists to each other’s countries to enjoy our beautiful and rarely-matched attractions.
12. I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the vast potential both countries may cooperate in with regard to Education. The Philippines have a host of reputable universities such as UP, Santo Thomas and Centro Escolar which degrees are recognized worldwide. The same goes for Malaysia with institutions such as the University of Malaya and International Islamic University. I strongly believe that this field presents much opportunity. As of today, there are only about 350 Filipino students in Malaysia out of a total of 81,000 foreign students studying in Malaysia in 2010. There is only a sparsely 30 Malaysian students in the whole of the Philippines. Evidently, both countries can intensify efforts in this field for mutual benefit. This year, the Al Bukhary University has offered ten scholarships to Philippine students and I am working with other Malaysian universities to follow suit. This year, the Allianz Medical University has also recruited 24 Filipino medical lecturers for its degree programs in Malaysia. At the same time, I have also visited many prominent universities in the Philippines such as the University of the Philippines in Diliman and Los Banos, Ateneo de Manila, the University of Santo Tomas, and the De La Salle University; and also other institutions further from Metro Manila such as the University of Baguio and Mindanao State University. These visits are important so we can explore how to mutually place students in these institutions and undertake other forms of cooperation and collaboration. Malaysia has also placed importance on education as reflected in its expenditure as percentage of GDP. In 2001 Malaysia spent 8.1 percent of GDP on education and current levels put the figure at about 5 percent.
13. The global Halal market, valued at US$2.3 trillion in 2010, offers myriad opportunities for Halal entrepreneurs. Malaysia has also gained global recognition for its expertise and experience in certification and development of Halal standards, thus providing a benchmark for countries wishing to excel in the global Halal market. Malaysia’s Halal Industry Master Plan outlines strategies for developing Malaysia into a Global Halal Hub and accelerating growth of the industry. As a close neighbour, we welcome greater cooperation with the Philippines in this area. In this regard, we have initiated a number of Philippine agencies to work with their Malaysian counterparts.
14. Indeed, Malaysia-Philippines bilateral cooperation is destined for loftier heights. Nevertheless, there remains considerable potential for cooperation to be tapped between both countries in various fields such as trade, investment, tourism, education, finance, defence, social development and infrastructure development. I am confident that in the years ahead, both countries will continue to tap into these potentials to further improve bilateral relations for our mutual benefit.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
15. In the international and regional context, Malaysia has played a committed and active role in promoting peace and fostering understanding across the globe via various International and Regional Organisations such as the United Nations, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and even the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth or BIMP-EAGA. Malaysia, together with like-minded countries have also been consistent in championing the values of multilateralism over the dangers of unilateralism; has upheld the sanctity of international law and conventions; has advanced the rights of the oppressed; and has provided humanitarian aid to alleviate the sufferings of the unfortunate. The Honourable Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib has also started the “Global Movement of the Moderates” to encourage moderates of all countries, of all religions to take back the centre, to reclaim the agenda and to marginalise the extremists.
16. As founding members of ASEAN, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as other ASEAN Member States, share the same vision and ideals in strengthening regional cooperation in the years ahead. I am also confident that Malaysia and the Philippines will continue to work together within ASEAN to realize an ASEAN Community by 2015. Enhanced connectivity within ASEAN is essential to achieve the ASEAN Community. The ingredients of a successful ASEAN Community are a successful ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. Malaysia is buoyed that ASEAN has developed a Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity which, among others, is envisaged at providing due emphasis on physical, institutional, people-to-people connectivity and raising the standard of living. Malaysia is excited that with the implementation of the commitments agreed under the AEC Blueprint, ASEAN is expected to achieve its goal of creating a single regional integrated market in four years’ time. With more positive developments, intra-ASEAN trade would be more open and robust. I believe that Malaysia, the Philippines, other ASEAN Member States and its Dialogue Partners will continue to work hard to achieve this vision of the ASEAN Founders.
17. On other vital bilateral cooperation that is important to the regional and international context, I wish to reiterate Malaysia’s continued commitment in supporting the GPH-MILF Peace Process. Malaysia has fulfilled its role diligently as the Third Party Facilitator for the GPH-MILF Peace Talks since 2001 – a role that Malaysia will continue to carry out at the pleasure of the GPH. I would like to add that the invaluable work by the International Contact Group (ICG) as well as the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) has also helped to foster a favourable environment for peace in the region. I strongly believe that a negotiated political settlement is the best way to achieve a peaceful, just and lasting conclusion to Peace Process. Malaysia is confident that under the able and visionary leadership of President Aquino, peace in the Southern Philippines will materialise soon. Moreover, peace in the Southern Philippines will lead to development and prosperity not only for the people in the Southern Philippines, but also throughout the country and the region, like Malaysia.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
18. The Embassy of Malaysia in Manila on its part has been working hard, and will continue to do so, in enhancing bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Philippines. These efforts have given us the opportunity to meet Filipinos from all walks of life, which has further developed friendly relations with various personalities in the Philippines. In doing this, various programs have been organised. The recent ones being the Chinese New Year Open House in February; the visit of Malaysia’s first Astronaut in July; and the Malaysia Truly Asia’s Kitchen Reception in August. May I also take this opportunity to thank all the local personalities that have helped us tremendously during our visits to various parts of the country to foster better relations and friendships. Destinations have included Baguio, Bukidnon, Cebu, Puerto Galera, Marawi City, Cotabato City, Zamboanga City and Davao City. The warm welcome and hospitalities that we received there have reinforced my feeling that Malaysians and Filipinos originate from the same roots, which are rich in culture, heritage and traditions – as anthropologists and historians believe.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
19. Once again, on the joint occasion of Malaysian Day, Malaysia’s 54th National Day and Eid ul-Fitr, on behalf of the Malaysian people I wish to offer my warmest greetings 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,
20. 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 bonds of friendship and cooperation between Malaysia and the Philippines.
“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”
Selamat Hari Malaysia, Hari Merdeka, Mabuhay and Maraming Salamat!
Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad
Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of the Philippines
16 September 2011
