Mahathir bin MohammadPrime Minister, Ministers, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Some two years ago I sat in your beautiful house in Kuala Lumpur at the start of my visit to Malaysia. The days which followed were full of interest and fascination. They left me with a strong and abiding impression of your country—its beauty, [end p1] diversity and its remarkable achievements.
Now we have an opportunity to repay your hospitality and to show you how much Britain can offer to Malaysia. We are very glad to welcome you and your delegation here tonight. I suppose that we should offer particular thanks to the electors of Malaysia and of Britain who have both shown such [end p2] perspicacity this year in making this reunion possible.
May I also say, Prime Minister, how very pleased we were that you elected to come to Britain to continue your studies in wood-working and cabinet-making. You have clearly concluded that, when it comes to turning difficult corners and plane-ing away obstacles, this is the [end p3] place to come. And you will see several fine examples of our skill in cabinet-making round this table tonight.
Prime Minister, I think that we can both be pleased with the progress made in our relations over the past two years. I would like to thank you and your government for your contribution to what [end p4] has been achieved. If I were to pick out some highlights: —British investment in Malaysia has grown steadily. You are to address a seminar on Wednesday which will, I hope, encourage that growth to continue. —Our trade is doing well. [end p5] You now have a surplus in visible trade with Britain. And the proportion of your exports to us from the manufacturing sector has now grown to 72%;. At the same time British companies such as Biwaters and British Rail Engineering Limited are fulfilling major contracts in Malaysia. [end p6] —The British/Malaysia Society here and the Malaysia/British Society in Kuala Lumpur have expanded their activities, and you are very kindly going to attend their dinner later this week. That will give a further boost to their enthusiasm. —We have seen a further increase—which we welcome—in the number of [end p7] Malaysian students in Britain. That is very important for the way we work together in future. —And we have settled the difficulties which you and I discussed when we last met about capacity in our air services. I am happy to hear that an increasing number of British people are visiting Malaysia. [end p8]
Prime Minister, if that all sounds a bit like a Company report, I would only say that Britain-Malaysia Limited (or plc) must be a very successful company, because in every area the trend is up. Our respective shareholders should be very satisfied. But, like all shareholders, they will look to us to ensure that the trend continues. [end p9]
Prime Minister, I recall that at the memorable dinner which you gave for me in Kuala Lumpur two years ago, you had some rather direct words to say about the Commonwealth. That's all to the good: no institution is or should be immune from criticism. I occasionally permit myself an observation or two about the European Community. [end p10] I hope nonetheless that we shall see you in Vancouver when we meet there in October. There are some very important issues to be discussed, which Sonny Ramphalthe Secretary-General has set out in his bidding letter; and they include the international economic issues which I know are one of your major concerns. It is very important, in particular, that [end p11] the interest which Britain and Malaysia both share in preventing a slide towards protectionism should be strongly voiced.
There is one other matter, Prime Minister, on which I would particularly like to compliment you and your Government, and that is your contribution to dealing with the problem of drug abuse. You have played a major part in [end p12] international action to curb drug abuse and were a very effective President of the recent successful conference in Vienna. We all owe you our thanks.
Prime Minister, we have had a very full talk earlier today, dealing with regional and international problems. I was able to tell you once again of our strong support for ASEAN's role in your [end p13] area and for its growing influence in world affairs. In particular the message which you sent during the recent European Council expressing ASEAN's strong disapproval of an oils and fats tax was very helpful indeed in arming me with additional arguments to get it stopped. I was very pleased that we saw eye to eye on that, and we shall continue to oppose [end p14] the tax not least because of the damage which it would do to your economy and those of the other ASEAN countries.
Prime Minister, can I just say once again how delighted we are that you are here. We hope your visit will be interesting and successful—indeed I am sure that it will be. I shall look forward to seeing you in [end p15] Vancouver. May I ask you all to rise and join me in a toast to our guests Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, Datin Seri Dr. Siti Hasmah, to the success of their visit and to the future good relations between Britain and Malaysia.