On the auspicious occasion of the 52nd Anniversary of Malaysia’s independence, it gives me great pleasure and honor to convey my heartiest congratulations to all Malaysians throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
I would also like to extend my cordial greetings and deep appreciation to the government and the friendly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their courtesies, cooperation and good will toward the embassy and Malaysian nationals working in the Kingdom. In fact, 52 years ago, Saudi Arabia was one of the nations that sent their representatives during Malaysia’s proclamation of independence on Aug. 31, 1957. Both the countries established their embassies a year later in Kuala Lumpur and Jeddah respectively.
The National Day Anniversary, which Malaysians celebrate, annually marks the success in which Malaysia’s truly multiracial population have lived and prevailed in harmony despite their diversity.
Under the leadership of the Honorable Dato Sri Mohammad Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Malaysia’s prime minister, Malaysia continues to gain commendable and outstanding overall progress and development. Malaysia has proven to the world that it is a country that is stable politically and prosperous economically.
The new initiative put forth by the new prime minister is called “1 Malaysia: Rakyat Didahulukan Pencapaian Diutamakan” or in English “One Malaysia: People First, Performance Now.” Our prime minister has chosen 1 Malaysia as his guide and goal for his premiership, to take this young nation of 27 million to new and greater heights; to forge a new level of nationhood out of the various races that comprise this land. His goal is admirable, yet will not be achieved without greater understanding of what it means to be a nation united, and the sacrifices necessary to achieve it. Despite the last 50 years of rapid development, relative peace and prosperity, Malaysia has miles to go before it can call itself a nation united.
Interdependence has always been Malaysia’s secret to success, however, it has never been truly embraced. Now, with 1 Malaysia, our new prime minister has decided that it is time to stop apologizing for who we are as a nation and begin exploiting it as the vehicle to drive the nation to its next phase of success. It is not merely a cliche to say “unity through diversity.”
Malaysia has been doing it for over 50 years. However, more work needs to be done to make it a lasting reality and the very source of success itself.
This concept and call for unity in nation-building is not new. It has been the basic tenet of our national philosophy since the days of our first prime minister, Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra.
At home, 1 Malaysia means realizing that it is our diversity that is our strength. It means accepting fellow Malaysians, regardless of color, creed or religious belief. It also means accepting the circumstances that brought us together as a nation and respecting the rights and responsibilities of each community that form this country. 1 Malaysia does not reject our past in order to secure our future. Rather it is a clear reaffirmation of the ‘documents of destiny’ that have shaped this great nation and bound it together since our Independence — the Federal Constitution, the Rukun Negara, the guiding principles of the NEP, Wawasan 2020 and the National Mission.”
But let us also recognize that we have grown up occasionally as one divided nation for the last five decades. For many, the time has come to discard our communal, geographic and religious silos. Let us forge a better Malaysia. A country that has its people moving from strength to strength as a single community yet secure in its diversity. To be entrusted with living in a multiracial and multireligious society is no small burden. It requires hard work, compromise, acceptance and an honest desire to know about those different than ourselves.
As a majority Muslim nation, this spirit should flow from the words of the Holy Qur’an, which states, “O people! Behold, we have created you from a male and a female and have made you into nations and tribes so that you might come to know one another.”[Qur’an 49:13].
Once we ‘know one another,’ we can then work together in the spread of Godliness — justice, mercy, compassion, love, and beauty — on this earth for all to enjoy — principles likewise shared between all the major religions in Malaysia.
Bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has steadily grown in depth and dimension over the years. The relationship and cooperation in various fields, particularly economic, investment and trade between the two brotherly countries have been strengthened. We are keen to develop it further in order for the people of both countries to reap the harvest to their mutual benefit.
In highlighting the excellent bilateral relations, both sides have yet to exploit the vast opportunities offered by both countries especially in trade and investment. It is with great satisfaction that we are able to see bilateral trade between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia continuing to grow.
The year of 2009 also has seen the meeting of two leaders. The honorable prime minister of Malaysia had an audience with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in July 2009. The audience had given both leaders an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss issues of mutual interest such as the economy, tourism, and religious as well as international issues. I would like to take this opportunity also to highlight Malaysia’s five economic development projects that comprise Iskandar Malaysia (Iskandar), the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), and Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). All these five projects are in their early stages and all economic players are more than welcome to invest.
Apart from the above opportunity, I also would like to highlight our new International Islamic Financial Center (MIFC) initiatives. All corporations or personnel are encouraged to participate in MIFC by offering Islamic financial products and services in any currency to non-residents and residents. Further explanation on the MIFC initiative can be had at their website (http://www.mifc.com)
I wish to commend Al-Rajhi Bank for their successful operation in Malaysia for the last several years. Malaysia is proud that Al-Rajhi Bank, the world’s largest Islamic bank, had chosen Malaysia as its base for its first overseas operations. This is in line with our effort that is to establish Malaysia as an Islamic financial hub in the region. I believe that Al-Rajhi Bank will be an important conduit to strengthen trade ties and investment flows between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
Malaysia, through its Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP), has offered various opportunities to attend courses, seminars and meetings in Malaysia. As of 2009, 54 participants from Saudi Arabia have participated in the MTCP.
I believe, the MTCP courses had given all the participants the fascinating experience and the courtesy of Malaysians which I trust promotes better understanding between the peoples of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. More information on the MTCP can be obtained from MTCP’s website (http://mtcp.epu.gov.my).
I am optimistic of the growing interaction between the private sectors of both nations and hope that more Saudi companies and nationals will venture into Malaysia and vice versa.
On the historical celebration, I call upon all Malaysians working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to double their efforts to project and promote Malaysia in this country. Your contribution is invaluable in our nation-building task. Let me once again take this important opportunity to convey the very best wishes to all Malaysians and to each and everyone throughout the Kingdom on this memorable day.
May Allah bestow His blessings upon all of us. InshaAllah.
Thank you.
Assoc. Prof. Dato Syed Omar Al-Saggaf
Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the OIC.
