[myanmar_information] The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 20 August, 2002)

Subject: [myanmar_information] The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 20 August, 2002)
From: Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2002 07:06:22 -0700 (PDT)
List-unsubscribe: <mailto:[email protected]>
The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 20 August, 2002)
--------------------------------------
1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman 
   Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations 
   to Republic of Hungary
2. Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Mahathir bin 
   Mohamad and wife conclude working visit to Myanmar 
3. Opening ceremony of Myanmar-Malaysia Technology 
   Conference on Business Opportunities and Technology

   Collaboration between Myanmar and Malaysia held 
4. Malaysian Prime Minister meets with the press
5. Visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri 
   Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and members of the 
   delegation visit MICT Park, Yangon Traditional 
   Medicine Hospital
6. Visiting Malaysian PM meets with members of
Malaysian 
   Citizens Association in Myanmar 
7. Malaysian Prime Minister's wife and party visit
MMCWA 
8. Myanmar-Malaysia Technology Conference held 
9. - Health Minister receives Malaysian delegation
   - A & I Minister receives Ambassador 

---------


( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman
Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to
Republic of Hungary

Yangon, 20 Aug - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of
the State Peace and Development Council of the Union
of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His
Excellency Mr Ferenc Madl, President of the Republic
of Hungary, on the occasion of the National Day of the
Republic of Hungary which falls on 20 August 2002.

___________________________ 

( 2 ) Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Mahathir
bin Mohamad and wife conclude working visit to Myanmar


Yangon, 19 Aug - Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri
Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and wife Datin Seri Dr Siti
Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali left here for home by special
aircraft this evening after paying a working visit at
the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of
Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing
Kyaing. 

Before their departure, Chairman of the State Peace
and Development Council Prime Minister of the Union of
Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing
Kyaing called on Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri
Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and wife Datin Seri Dr Siti
Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali at Seinle Kantha State House at 5
pm. The Senior General and wife presented a
documentary photo album and a video tape to the
Malaysian Prime Minister. 

Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Mahathir bin
Mohamad and Senior General Than Shwe exchanged
souvenirs.

Together with Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw
Kyaing Kyaing, Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri Dr
Mahathir bin Mohamad and wife Datin Seri Dr Siti
Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali left Seinle Kantha State House in
a motorcade and arrived at Yangon International
Airport at 5.25 pm. 

Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and
wife Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali bade
farewell to Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of
Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General
Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, member of the State
Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon
Division Peace and Development Council Commander of
Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe and wife, Minister
for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and wife, Deputy
Minister U Khin Maung Win, Myanmar Ambassador to
Malaysia U Hla Maung and wife, Director-General of
Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, Malaysian
Ambassador Dato Cheah Sam Kip and wife and the
Malaysian Embassy staff and families. 

Afterwards, Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Mahathir bin
Mohamad and wife Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd
Ali bade farewell to the Senior General and wife. 

School girls at the airport bade farewell to the
guests waving miniature flags of the two countries and
chanting best wishes for the well-being of the Senior
General and wife and Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr
Mahathir bin Mohamad and wife Datin Seri Dr Siti
Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali and for further strengthening of
friendship between the two countries. 

Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and
wife Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali boarded
the plane and waved goodbye to the Senior General and
wife and party. 

The special aircraft carrying Prime Minister Dato Seri
Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and wife Datin Seri Dr Siti
Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali took off at the airport at 5.50
pm. 

The Senior General and wife and party waved farewell
to the guests from the VIP lounge. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Dato Seri Syed
Hamid Albar and wife and other senior officials also
left here for home together with the Malaysian Prime
Minister and wife. 

___________________________

( 3 ) The world is full of examples where a hasty
transition from one system to another have led to
unrest, instability and even failed states 
Today Malaysians are able to invest on their own in
the very sophisticated industries which were once the
preserve of foreign corporations

Yangon, 19 Aug - The opening ceremony of
Myanmar-Malaysia Technology Conference on Business
Opportunities and Technology Collaboration between
Myanmar and Malaysia was held at Sedona Hotel on Kaba
Aye Pagoda Road this morning, with an address by
Chairman of the Organizing Committee for Holding
Myanmar-Malaysia Technology Conference Secretary-1 of
the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt. 

Present were Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri Dr
Mahathir bin Mohamad, Chairman of Yangon Division
Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon
Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, the ministers, the chairman
of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the
Yangon mayor, members of the Organizing Committee for
Holding Myanmar-Malaysia Technology Conference,
Chairman of Working Committee and members, chairmen of
Sub-committees and members, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Malaysia, Minister of International Trade
and Industry of Malaysia, Minister of Energy,
Communications and Multimedia of Malaysia and senior
officials, entrepreneurs, the deputy ministers, the
vice-mayor, ambassadors of ASEAN member countries led
by Dean of diplomatic corps Ambassador of Lao People's
Democratic Republic, officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office, heads of departments,
local and foreign journalists in Myanmar, journalists
from Malaysia, reporters, entrepreneurs who are
attending the conference and departmental officials.

Staff Officer Daw Thida Swe of Myanma Radio and
Television acted as master of ceremonies and read the
agenda. 

First, Joint-Chairman of Organizing Committee for
Holding the Myanmar-Malaysia Technology Conference on
Business Opportunities and Technology Collaboration
between Myanmar and Malaysia Science Adviser of Prime
Minister's Department Tan Seri Datuk Dr Zaharudin
Idrus extended the greetings. He said: 

I am very pleased and honoured to welcome Your
Excellencies and Distinguished participants to this
Myanmar-Malaysia Technology Conference on "Business
Opportunities and Technology Collaboration Between
Myanmar and Malaysia" here in Yangon, Myanmar.   

This two-day conference is jointly organized by
Malaysian Industry Government Group for High
Technology (MIGHT) and the State Peace and Development
Council of Myanmar, in collaboration with the Ministry
of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia External
Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Institute
of Sultan Iskandar (ISI). The Ministries of Foreign
Affairs of both countries have also given their
support to this conference. To all these bodies and
agencies, please accept our deepest appreciation for
your kind support in making this conference a success.
The organizers have brought together key economic
development officials, policy- makers from relevant
ministries, captains of industry, academic experts and
entrepreneurs from both countries to collectively put
forth pragmatic recommendations and concrete joint
action plans for the common purpose of promoting and
furthering the interests of both countries. 

This conference will focus on creating business
opportunities through technology collaboration; thus
on the second day there will be parallel sessions that
would focus on five areas as follow; 
* Utility Management 
* Health & Education 
* Information Communication Technology (ICT) 
* Agriculture 
* Trade and Investment 

We have also included special Business Matching
sessions, during the conference in order to facilitate
the economic and technology partnering initiatives
that would have emanated from this conference. 

I am confident that this conference will result in
even greater cooperation between Myanmar and Malaysia.
Just sitting together in a conference like this,
exchanging information and clarifying perceptions is
already a step forward. But to advance further our
vision of economic co-prosperity requires the
translation of suggestions and ideas in firm actions.
The wealth of resources that we see before us amongst
the speakers and the participants augurs well for an
exciting partnership between our two countries.  

Allow me once again to thank you for your support and
to wish you all a fruitful and meaningful conference. 

Next, Chairman of Organizing Committee for Holding
Myanmar-Malaysia Technology Conference Secretary-1 of
the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt delivered an address. He said: 

May I extend greetings to you all in Myanmar Min ga la
ba, which means: may all of you be blessed with
auspiciousness!

Honourable Prime Minister, I am short of words to
express how deeply we appreciate that you have decided
to grace this Conference with your presence. It is a
great honour and privilege for me to cordially welcome
you and other Members of the Government of Malaysia,
the Joint Chairmen of MIGHT, resource persons from
various disciplines including ISI and all the
distinguished participants to this Myanmar-Malaysia
Technology Conference. Your very presence here
signifies the friendship, goodwill and the spirit of
cooperation that exist between our two nations. 

To us in Myanmar, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad
is more than a leader of the dynamic nation of
Malaysia: he is visionary statesman of the region and
a staunch defender of the developing world. You have
rightly been called the father of modern day Malaysia
and under your guidance, Malaysia has now become one
of the most advanced nations of Southeast Asia. 

In 1991, under your leadership, Malaysia launched
Vision 2020 envisioning Malaysia as a fully developed
nation by the year 2020. Moreover, it is clearly
stated that this development would be comprehensive
and you said here I quote "Malaysia should not be
developed only in the economic sense. It must be a
nation that is fully developed along all the
dimensions in terms of national unity and social
cohesion, in terms of our economy, in terms of social
justice, political stability, system of government,
quality of life, social and spiritual values, national
pride and confidence." Equally important, you stressed
that the process will be uniquely Malaysian. 

But Honourable Prime Minister, you are not one to rest
on your laurels. With Malaysia well on its way to
achieving the objectives set out in Vision 2020, you
are now focused on transforming Malaysia into a
knowledge-based society, with a knowledge-based
economy to meet the challenges of globalization as
well as the Age of Knowledge. We are fully convinced
that Malaysia will be able to achieve its national
goals under your leadership and guidance. 

We in Myanmar consider ourselves to be very fortunate
to have Malaysia, and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir in
particular, as a friend. 

Myanmar and Malaysia have a long history of sincere
friendship and close cooperation. Our two countries
have traded since time immemorial. ASEAN accounts for
43 per cent of our total world trade and our trade
with Malaysia is 13 per cent of our trade with ASEAN. 

Not only is Malaysia a good trading partner of ours,
but it is also an important investor in our country.
ASEAN accounts for 52 per cent of our total foreign
investment and Malaysia is the third largest ASEAN
investor in Myanmar. Currently, there are twenty
Malaysian projects worth US dollars 598 million. As
Malaysia climbs up the technological ladder and
focuses more and more on high tech industries, it is
our hope that your lab our intensive low-tech
industries will be relocated to Myanmar. 

One of the pillars that give strength to our relations
is the sharing of many common ideals, concepts and
mental outlook. To cite but one example, both our
nations have a profound love and respect for
independence and sovereignty. During your address to
the Asia Society in Hong Kong on 28 October 2000,
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir stated: "Asia and Asian
nations must be free, truly free. No one should impose
their values or ideologies or systems on Asia. While
everyone should be concerned over human rights, the
environment etc, no one from within or outside Asia
should appoint himself or his country as the policeman
charging himself with the responsibility to ensure
that everyone behaves. Asian countries are mature
enough to know what is right and what is wrong. Any
attempt to undermine the sovereignty of independent
countries through subverting nationals should be
condemned roundly by everyone." 

We cannot agree more with these sentiments. The
independence of Myanmar was won at the end of a long
and arduous struggle and at great sacrifice and huge
cost of blood, sweat and tears of our entire people.
We are proud of our independence and jealous of our
sovereignty. No outsider can better appreciate the
situation obtaining in our country or its complexities
than we can. No one should try to impose their will or
attempt to mould Myanmar in their image. The solution
to Myanmar's challenges must come from within the
country. It must be home grown. We will not be swayed
by sweet words or bowed by threat in the pursuit of
our national goal of a peaceful, modern and prosperous
state. 

However, this should not be construed that we are
against democracy, against human rights. Indeed, the
Government is laying down the foundations for the
emergence of a democratic state. The democracy that we
seek to build may not be identical to that which
prevails in the West but it will surely be based on
universal principles of liberty, justice and equality
with the rule of law. The democratic society that we
envision is one where all the 135 national races of
the country live in peace and harmony and join hands
in building a prosperous and modern nation; where
everyone enjoys the fruits of development and
progress. It will also be a society that preserves its
cultural heritage, its traditions, values and customs,
its national identity. 

But such a transition cannot be done in haste and in a
haphazard manner. The world is full of examples where
a hasty transition from one system to another have led
to unrest, instability and even failed states. As
such, our Government under the leadership of our
Chairman, Senior General Than Shwe is laying the
necessary political, economic, social and human
resource foundations to ensure a stable and smooth
transition to democracy. 

One of the most important requirements for development
is peace and stability of the country. For more than
40 years our country was plagued by internal
insurgencies. But due to the efforts of the
Government, 17 out of 18 armed groups have returned to
the legal fold and peace and stability reigns over the
nation as never before in the modern history of
Myanmar. As the participants to the Conference can
witness, Yangon is one of the safest cities in the
world. 

With the return of peace, we are devoting ourselves to
economic development and progress. Some western
nations have imposed sanctions and embargoes against
Myanmar for their own political motives. Myanmar has
received practically no development assistance from
bilateral sources or from multilateral institutions.
But the people of Myanmar are never daunted by
challenges or heavy odds. Indeed, our people reveal
their best capabilities in times of adversity. Relying
on our own resources and by combining the strength of
the Government, people and the Tatmadaw (Armed
Forces), we have been able to achieve significant
progress in nation-building. 

Sine transportation network is a basic requirement for
economic progress, special emphasis has been placed on
improving the basic infrastructure. In the last 12
years, we have constructed more than 4,200 miles of
roads, 1,100 miles of railroads and nearly 150 medium
and large-size bridges. In 1988, there was only one
bridge across the Ayeyarwady River. Today, there are 8
new bridges spanning this great river and the ninth
will be added soon. This is but an example of what we
have been able to achieve with our own resources
without any help from abroad. 

Even without ODA and the additional constraints of
sanctions from the West, Myanmar is building our
nation relying on our own natural and human resources.
As the Honourable Prime Minister once said, the only
helping hand we can rely on is the one at the end of
out arm. We have tried to do best with what we have,
and have been able to achieve an average annual
economic growth rate of 8.4 per cent for 1996-97 to
2000-2001 Five Year Plan. We attained better than 10
per cent last fiscal year and expects the same good
performance this year. 

At the same time, we are fully aware of the importance
of human resource development to ensure progress,
prosperity and a lasting democratic system. Thus, in
his address to the Union Solidarity and Development
Association on 19 February 2002 the Chairman of the
State Peace and Development Council Senior General
Than Shwe stated: "To build a modern and developed
nation which can face today's possible challenges as
well as those of the future rests on the development
of necessary human resources." Moreover, the vision
enshrined in our education sector called for a
creation of an education system that can generate a
learning society capable of facing the challenges of
the Knowledge Age. 

Towards this end, the number of universities and
colleges in the country has increased from 32 in 1988
to 150 at the moment due to the support, encouragement
and assistance provided by the Government. In tertiary
education, doctorate degree courses are being offered
in most disciplines for the first time in the
country's education history. 

Being fully aware of the importance of ICT in ushering
in the Age of Knowledge, we have paid special
attention to the development of Information Technology
in the nation. To introduce ICT to the children at an
early age, multi-media classrooms have been
established at most schools, including primary
schools. Moreover, there are 2 Computer University and
23 Computer Colleges all over the country. We are also
introducing e-education and e-learning in the country.
The Ministry of Education has already launched 304
e-Education Learning Centers in 189 townships that
utilize data broadcasting system in collaboration with
the Ministry of Information to improve access to
technology-enabling distance modalities, open learning
and other flexible systems to facilitate life-long
education opportunities. 

With the aim of advancing ICT development in the
nation, we have built the Myanmar ICT Park. I wish to
take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks
and appreciation to Malaysia for the support and
assistance provided to us in setting up of this Park. 

Myanmar pays special attention to the present
Conference. The subtitle of the Conference: "Business
Opportunities and Technology Collaborations" is indeed
most appropriate as it would provide a forum for
networking among the business communities of two
countries as well as acquaint each other of possible
areas for enhancing economic and technology
cooperation. The very fact that the Conference is
being attended by over nearly 500 business-related
people from both sides offers a chance to engage in
business matching. 

We are all aware that the private sector is the engine
for growth. Here, in Myanmar, the country needs
capital and technology to promote the small and medium
sized enterprises and industries. We are very grateful
to the Honourable Prime Minister for bringing along
the business community for "prospecting" and business
marching. I am sure the private sector will be able to
harness business and investment opportunities that
will benefit both countries. 

Myanmar today offers great potential in terms of trade
and investment. Myanmar and Malaysia already has a
long tradition of working together for mutual benefit.
It is our hope that this Conference will open the door
for smart partnership for better business and
technology cooperation between the two countries. 

To conclude, I wish to state that this Conference is
another big step in our close relationship. It will
provide a platform for exchange of views and
experiences. It will promote discussions of general
and specific issues of national and regional
interests. I hope you will come up with a common
vision that is needed for strategic and concerted
efforts to generate economic dynamism. 

One again, may I thank the Honourable Prime Minister,
their Excellencies and all our guests for honoring us
with their presence and for contributing to the
success of this Conference. My appreciation is also
extended to the sponsors and organizers for arranging
the Conference, particularly MIGHT and ISI. May you
all have fruitful discussions. 

Thank you.

 Afterwards, Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri Dr
Mahathir bin Mohamad delivered an address. He said:

Firstly l wish to express my sincere thanks for the
very warm welcome extended to me and the Malaysian
delegation to your beautiful country. It is indeed on
honour for me to address this gathering of prominent
personalities from both Myanmar and Malaysia. This
conference bears testimony to the continued commitment
on the part of the Malaysian government to the idea of
prospering neighbours through economic and business
collaboration. 

September 11th has changed almost completely our
perception of things and with it the way we relate to
each other, we the peoples of different nations, of
different races and different religions. This is both
unfortunate and fortunate. It is unfortunate because
some have acquired a deeper suspicion and enmity
towards others while some have discovered a new need
to understand other people and other cultures. But at
the moment the suspicion and enmity seem to dominate
the minds most.

Today there is a lot of fear in the world, a fear that
is not so easily directed because the enemy is more a
perception than an identifiable entity. The enemy now
is the terrorists, not the national terrorist bent on
overthrowing the national Government but terrorists
who are against the injustices and the oppressions
that they perceive as happening all over the world.
They may be wrong for others may perceive the
injustice as just and justifiable. But that is
academic. The fact is that these people see injustice
and oppression largely against their kind of people
and they feel a need to fight against these. 

They belong to no particular nation or race. And
therefore they cannot be liquidated or defeated by
military might the way conventional wars can put an
end to the policies of enemy nations. They really
cannot be defeated by force of arms alone though this
can contribute. They can only be defeated by
eliminating the causes of their anger, frustrations
and bitterness. Whether what they claim to be fighting
for is real or imagined is irrelevant. If these are
not real then we have to convince them that it is not
real, that their perception of things is wrong. But it
is seldom that their perception is absolutely wrong.
There must be some elements of truth in what they
claim for how else can we explain the horrible acts
that they are willing to commit, to be willing to
blast themselves into oblivion in carrying out the
acts which terrorize everyone, the guilty and the
innocent alike. 

We have; we all have to try to resolve this reign of
terror. We should not just seek revenge, ten lives for
one of our own. The idea of out terrorizing the
terrorists is insane because it is based on feelings
rather than reason. It is based on the desire for
vengeance for revenge. And vengeance breeds vengeance
in a vicious cycle. 

And as the avengers resort to their expanded and
extended terror, they feed the flames of terror and
increase the fear among the people of the world. This
fear is affecting everyone, no matter how remote they
may be from the scenes of terror. This fear is
affecting everyone in every field of human endeavour,
in the economic, social and intercultural activities
in a world that has become physically palpably
smaller. 

The world has been shrinking throughout its thousands
of years of history. As man learn how to move about
faster and to better communicate with each other,
distances become less and less of an obstacle. Today
the distance has been reduced almost zero because
communication, aural and visual, is instantaneous, in
real time. We have not yet learnt how to transmit our
bodies through space instantaneously as in Star Trek
but jet speed has made every part of the world just a
day away from any part of the rest. 

Opportunities for interaction by the human race have
never been so great or so easy. They should help
foster better and more productive relations between
people. But unfortunately some see these opportunities
as offering them the expansion of their influence and
their might, of hegemony in a world that has become a
village. The mentality of the village bully has
overcome these people. Invariably in such a world
might is right, more so than ever before. And when
might is right justice and fairplay invariably go out
of the window. 

This is the world that we live in today. The weak will
once again submit to the strong. How much they have to
submit and how much of their sovereignty and
independence they will retain will depend not on their
physical strength for this they do not have, but on
the strategy they adopt and the common causes that
they make with others who are in the some straits. 

Way back in the 1950's when colonies were struggling
to free themselves from the shackles of colonialism,
there were visions of truly independent countries
which would be masters of their own destines. But very
soon they were disabused. Political independence did
not mean total freedom. This was because political
independence without economic independence subtract
much from the freedom that the newly liberated had
expected. 

Some of us believed that we can isolate ourselves,
build a wall around our economy and reduce our
involvement with the outside world to the minimum. But
with the passage of time isolationism could no longer
deliver the good life for people that we expect. And
not only that, the outside world still loomed large
and ominous over our horizon, threatening to crush the
isolationists. In any case the domestic economy could
not sustain the needs of a growing population whose
expectations were ever higher with the passage of
time. 

The only hope for the weak nations is to come together
to combine their little assets in order to protect
themselves. Their hope lies in ever stronger
cooperation between countries of a given region,
between the regions as well, cooperation which does
not diminish their national identities yet endows us
with greater strength through the weight of their size
and their combined economic and political strengths.
They should note that even the strong are coming
together to bolster themselves even more. It is not
easy for them and it would certainly not be easy for
us. But we have no choice but to try and try. 

In Southeast Asia we have come together to form ASEAN.
For all its weaknesses and even failures, ASEAN is
still one of the strongest associations of developing
countries. Through ASEAN we have reduced the kind of
fruitless confrontations which normally happen between
neighbours. We have through the institution of ASEAN
also learnt from each other the art and science of
developing our countries. We have strengthened our
economies through promoting intra-ASEAN trade and
investments and through regional collaboration to
protect our industries. And we have helped our common
industries through common policies and strategies. In
Malaysia we believe in helping neighbours to develop
partly to save us from the spill-over effect of poor
and unstable Governments, partly because prosperous
neighbours make good markets for our products and also
because we do honestly want to see our region
prosperous and strong in order to help us fend off the
predators from outside. We do not subscribe to the
Zero Sum Game in which our country can only gain if
another country loses. Malaysia believes in a Win-Win
philosophy in which both parties, all parties must
gain and no one should lose. This is, believe it or
not, entirely possible. 

It is with this belief in mind that Malaysia has
worked closely with all its neighbours and in
particular those new members of ASEAN who because of
their past costly struggles have been lagging behind.
We believe that our experience in growing through
foreign participation in our economy can also be the
experience of all countries wishing to grow
economically. We know that foreign investments will
not affect our independence. Malaysia has always
remained independent in words and in deeds. 

We know that foreigners will not come to our country
to do charity. We think they are entitled to their
profits from their capital and technological
investment. For our part initially we only wanted jobs
for our people. We were not interested in deriving
revenue for our Government coffers. And we succeeded,
succeeded so much that today we are short of workers. 

But despite our limited objective of creating jobs
there is no doubt that we gained more. Our workers
have now become highly skilled, our managers more
competent and our wealth have so increased that we
have huge savings and sufficient capital for our own
entrepreneurs. Today Malaysians are able to invest on
their own in the very sophisticated industries which
were once the preserve of foreign corporations. Today
we have moved into hi-tech including ICT in order to
give our people higher incomes and the country greater
wealth. 

It has taken us four decades to reach this level of
development. But it has been a very satisfying four
decades. Now to a limited extent we can reverse the
process, to become investors in other countries and to
contribute to their development. 

While we hope to be welcome the way foreign investors
were welcome to Malaysia, we also know that host
countries expect us as foreign investors to respect
the sensitivities, the laws and religions and the
policies; domestic and foreign of the country.
Malaysian businessmen, traders and investors will be
expected to do all these and the Malaysian Government
will ensure that they do so. There will be black sheep
from among the Malaysian businessmen coming to Myanmar
and we will not claim any privilege for them and will
support the laws as applied to them. But as a matter
of routine we will of course provided all Malaysians
with the services they are entitled to by our
diplomatic representatives. 

I don't foresee much problem here. The Malaysian
Government, the Malaysian businessmen and the
scientists will collaborate fully with their
counterparts in Myanmar. This conference is
specifically focussed on technology and there will be
much that we con do together for mutual benefit. I
would like to stress cooperation in biotechnology as
both Malaysia and Myanmar are endowed with extremely
rich resources in flora and fauna, the basis for
genomics, the science of the future. 

The foundation has been laid. The challenge is now
turn our vision into a reality that we can all be
proud of. I hope that this Myanmar-Malaysia Technology
Conference will be a start of a series of
collaboration that will take both nations to a higher
level of socio-economic well-being. I wish to thank
all parties that have made this conference possible. I
hereby declare the Myanmar-Malaysia Technology
Conference officially open.

An endorsement and Memorandum of Understanding on
Myanmar-Malaysia Technology Conference on Business
Opportunities and Technology Collaboration were then
signed. 

First, Deputy Minister for Energy U Tin Tun and
President and Chief Executive of Petronas Oil Co Tan
Sri Dato Mohamad Hassan Marican signed the production
sharing contracts for Myanmar Taninthayi Offshore Area
between Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise and Patronas
Carigali Myanmar Inc. 

Next, Joint Secretary of Yangon City Development
Committee U Kyi Win and President and Chief Executive
of Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High
Technology (MIGHT) Datuk Dr Ahmed Tasir Lope Piphie
signed the MoU on the Yangon Strategic Development and
Action Plan. 

Next, Managing Director of Myanma Posts and
Telecommunications U Maung Maung Tin and Chairman of
MAXIS International Sdn Bhd Tun Haji Mohammad Hanif
Omar signed the MoU on International Telecommunication
Services. 

Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri Dr Mahathir bin
Mohamad and members, the Secretary-1, the ministers
and the mayor had documentary photo. 

After the ceremony, the Prime Minister of Malaysia,
the Secretary-1 and guests observed books showroom
jointly organized by the Ministry of Information and
Innwa Publishing House, Multimedia Development
Corporation (MDC) showroom of Malaysia, Alami
vegetable oil products showroom, IT showroom of
University Utara Malaysia, Expomal Network showroom,
road and construction materials showroom of
Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), MIGHT
showroom, production of purified water showroom of
Salcon, medicines from Malaysia showrooms of Ain
Medicare and Inai Kiara, land development showroom of
Putrajaya Holdings, computer technology showroom of
LJS Technologies, Malaysia-manufactured medicines and
hospital equipment showroom of Pharmaniaga, Malaysian
traditional medicines showroom of Rohini, traditional
medicine of the Ministry of Health, showroom of the
Ministry of Cooperatives, and product showroom of bee
keeping centre of the Ministry of Livestock Breeding
and Fisheries on the first floor of Sedona Hotel. 

__________________________ 


( 4 ) When opting for democracy, it is necessary that
the process is gradual and people have to learn how to
handle it Malaysian Prime Minister meets with the
press

Yangon, 19 Aug - Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri
Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, who paid a working visit to
Myanmar at the invitation of Chairman of the State
Peace and Development Council Prime Minister of the
Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw
Kyaing Kyaing, met with local and foreign journalists
at the Mindon Hall of the Sedona Hotel after
addressing Myanmar-Malaysia Technology Conference on
Business Opportunities and Technological Collaboration
this morning. 

Also present were Chairman of the Working Committee
for Organizing Myanmar-Malaysia Technology Conference
Minister at the State Peace and Development Council
Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Foreign
Affairs U Win Aung, members of the Malaysian
delegation, heads of department, media personnel,
correspondent of Kyodo News Agency U Sein Win, Patron
of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Hla Htwe,
Chairman of U Sai Kai Hpa and members, 23
correspondents of news agencies and TV broadcasting
stations from Malaysia and other nations and guests.
Brig-Gen Abel gave an introductory speech about the
press conference. 

Then, Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri Dr Mahathir
bin Mohamad said: As you know I come to Myanmar only
for one night and two days, it is not a very long but
it is good to be here again because it has enabled me
to renew our relations with the leaders of Myanmar and
to see the progress which has obviously been achieved
by Myanmar since my last visit here. This is
specifically to encourage business cooperation between
Myanmar and Malaysia and also for cooperation in the
field of technology. I have had good discussions with
Senior General Than Shwe. I have seen the products in
Myanmar which would be very tradable in Malaysia. 

At the same time, I am looking forward to seeing the
herbal industry in Myanmar which is very well-known,
whether we can source more from Myanmar and also
whether we can collaborate in developing herbal
treatment which is all the fashion now. In reply to
reporter of the Myanmar Times U Thet Khaing's question
about the topic of discussions with the Myanmar leader
and economic and business collaboration, the Prime
Minister said: Generally, the topic was how to improve
cooperation between Myanmar and Malaysia. And we
discussed future of our two countries how Myanmar is
developing and the progress that has been made in the
democratization of Myanmar; we also discussed a little
about the approach to the both political and economic
development fields. He added: It is our experience in
order to succeed in the economic field, especially we
have to depend upon foreign investment foreign direct
investment in our equity market. 

We have to prepare the country for such foreign
investment. In other words, we have to have legal
framework, a policy framework and our practices must
be effective to foreign investors. It is not just
saying that we are open but what is the law that we
have and there are things like financial practices or
financial policies of the country. So all these things
will have to be attended to if we are going to bring
in FDI not in order for them to make profits alone but
so that they can contribute to the growth and
well-being of our country. And that being the
Malaysian experience, I am quite sure that Myanmar too
can get a lot of foreign investments and become
prosperous by adopting, maybe, some of the policies
that we practice in Malaysia. In reply to NHK reporter
Mikebera's question about the democratization of the
country, he said: We believe in democracy.  

We know that there are very many different definitions
of democracy. Some countries even call themselves
democratic republics but they are anything but
democratic. So you have a variety of interpretations.
What we know from our experience is that it is not
easy to handle democracy. If you do not know how to
handle it, you will end up with anarchy. You will end
up with having practically no government. And that is
not good for the country. Therefore, when opting for
democracy, it is necessary that the process is gradual
and people have to learn how to handle it. They must
understand that democracy does not mean freedom to do
anything you like. 

There are limitations to democracy. If you understand
that, I think the democracy can work. But in some
countries, which adopted democracy the only thing that
they can see is opportunities to be voted in as a
government. When they form 100 different political
parties, none of them are national in character. That
will result in very weak coalition government which
can never administer a country well. So, our view is
that while we uphold democracy, I would like to see
democracy practiced in our country. We are also aware
that the process of change must be gradual. At the
same time, we need not have to go straight to liberal
democracy because that is very destructive. 

In reply to the reporter of the News Strait Times'
question about a prime mover of Myanmar national
reconciliation process, he said: Actually, it is not
Malaysia. It is just a Malaysian that was appointed by
the UN to help with national reconciliation. And he is
acting independently. We hope that he is successful. 

__________________________


( 5 ) Visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr
Mahathir bin Mohamad and members of the delegation
visit MICT Park, Yangon Traditional Medicine Hospital

Yangon, 19 Aug - Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Seri
Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and members of the delegation,
together with Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung,
Myanmar Ambassador to Malaysia U Hla Maung,
Director-General of the Protocol Department of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thura U Aung Htet,
Malaysian Ambassador Dato Cheah Sam Kip and officials,
arrived at Myanmar Information and Communication
Technology Park in Hline Township at noon. 

The visiting Malaysian delegation was welcomed there
by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Chairman of Yangon Division
Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Myint
Swe, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs
Brig-Gen Thein Zaw and officials. Col Thein Swe,
Chairman of Myanmar Information and Communication
Technological Development Corporation Ltd and Bagan
Cybertech gave an account of the MICT Park, project
works jointly operated with Multimedia Development
Corporation (MDC) of Malaysia, the MICTDC and the
Bagan Teleport, with the use of video slides to the
visiting Malaysian Prime Minister and members of the
delegation. 

Then, CPT Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw presented a gift
to the visiting Prime Minister of Malaysia. Next,
Executive Chairman of Multimedia Development
Corporation Tan Seri Dato Dr Othman Yeop Abdullah
presented a gift to Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. The visiting
Prime Minister of Malaysia and members of the
delegation viewed the scale model of MICT Park under
its second phase construction, software companies and
Bagan Cybertech Teleport, and officials conducted them
round the Park. At 3 pm, visiting Prime Minister of
Malaysia Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and wife
Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali and party went
to Yangon Traditional Medicine Hospital in Bahan
Township, where the visiting Malaysian delegation was
welcomed by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein and
wife Daw Yin Yin Myint, Deputy Ministers Professor Dr
Mya Oo and Professor Dr Kyaw Myint and officials. 

Director-General of the Indigenous Medicine Department
Dr Thein Swe explained matters related to the
department to the visiting Malaysian Prime Minister
and his wife and party, and Director-General of the
Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar) Dr Paing
Soe matters related to medical research on traditional
medicine. Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Seri Dr
Mahathir bin Mohamad signed in the visitors' book. 

The visiting Malaysian Prime Minister and his wife and
party then viewed the booths displayed by various
Myanmar traditional medicine industries at the
hospital, and officials conducted them round. The
visiting Malaysian Prime Minister and his wife and
party also viewed the out-patient department, the
emergency ward and orthopedic ward and watched
practical treatments with the use of traditional
medicine. Afterwards, the visiting Malaysian
delegation left the hospital at 4.10 pm. 

___________________________

( 6 )  Visiting Malaysian PM meets with members of
Malaysian Citizens Association in Myanmar 

Yangon, 19 Aug - Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr
Mahathir bin Mohamad, who was on a working visit to
Myanmar, met with members of the Malaysian Citizens
Association in Myanmar at the hall of Micasa Hotel on
Kaba Aye Pagoda Road here at 10 am today. Chairman of
the Malaysian Citizens Association in Myanmar Mr
Gilbert Lee extended greetings to the Malaysian Prime
Minister. Next, the Malaysian Prime Minister delivered
an address on the occasion and together with members
of Malaysian Citizens Association he posted for a
documentary photo. 

___________________________

( 7 ) Malaysian Prime Minister's wife and party visit
MMCWA


Yangon, 19 Aug - Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd
Ali, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr
Mahathir bin Mohamad, who was on a working visit here
at the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Prime Minister of the Union of
Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing
Kyaing, visited Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare
Association at the corner of Parami Road and
Thanthumar Road here this morning. 

The Malaysian Prime Minister's wife and party were
welcomed there by MMCWA Chairperson Prof Daw Kyu Kyu
Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and
members. Then, at the hall of the association, Prof
Daw Kyu Kyu Swe and Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe explained the
objectives and future tasks of the association
respectively. Next, Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Haji
Mohd Ali also explained matters on health, public
welfare tasks and maternal and child welfare
activities in Malaysia.

Afterwards, Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali
donated US $ 2,631 to MMCWA through Dr Daw Khin Win
Shwe. Prof Daw Kyu Kyu Swe presented souvenirs to
Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali. They then had
a documentary photo taken. Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah
Haji Mohd Ali and party signed in the visitors' book
and viewed the documentary photos of MMCWA.
Afterwards, they visited the diagnostic centre of
MMCWA and left there at 10 am. 

___________________________

( 8 ) Myanmar-Malaysia Technology Conference held

Yangon, 19 Aug - The Myanmar-Malaysia Technology
Conference on Business Opportunities and Technology
Collaboration between Malaysia and Myanmar was held at
Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road here at 11 am
today. 

The conference was attended by Chairman of Organizing
Committee for the Conference Minister at the State
Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office
Brig-Gen Abel, Chairman of Civil Service Selection and
Training Board Dr Than Nyun, Minister of International
Trade and Industry Dato Seri Rafidah Aziz, Minister of
Energy, Communication and Multimedia Dato Amar Leo
Moggie, chairmen and members of the work committee and
sub-committees for organizing the conference,
entrepreneurs, high-ranking officials and
entrepreneurs from Malaysia. 

Minister Dato Seri Rafidah Aziz presented the paper on
Regional Trade as a Catalyst for Economic Growth.
Then, Minister Brig-Gen Abel and Minister Dato Seri
Rafidah Aziz replied to the queries raised by those
present. Adviser to Union of Myanmar Federation of
Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Kyaw Htin,
MASSCORP Berhad Chairman AM Bank Group Chairman MIGHT
Board member Tan Sri Dato Azman Hashim presented the
paper on New Frontiers in Economic and Technical
Cooperation. Moderator Adviser to Sunway Group Tan Sri
Dato Azman Hashim replied to the queries. Then the
morning session ended. 

In the afternoon, Director-General Dr Thein Tun of
Electric Power Department of the Ministry of Electric
Power, Myanmar, and Prof Dr Rugayah Mohamed of
Institute, Sultan Isakandar (ISI), Malaysia, presented
the paper on Role of Infrastructure Development in
Economic Growth. Moderator Director-General (Retd) of
ASEAN Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs U Aye Lwin replied to the queries. Next,
President/CEO of MIGHT Datuk Dr Ahmed Tasir Lope Pihie
presented the paper on Government-Industry Partnership
for the Development of Hi-Tech Industry: The
Experience of MIGHT. Moderator Director-General (Retd)
of ASEAN Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs U Aye Lwin replied to queries. 

Afterwards, Minister of Energy, Communication and
Multimedia Dato Amar Leo Moggie presented the paper on
Driving Economic Growth in the Digital Age and the
conference came to a close. After the conference,
representatives from UMFCCI and Malaysian
entrepreneurs cordially discussed matters on
investment opportunities and trade at Mindon Hall
there. The conference continues tomorrow. At night,
Chairman of Organizing Committee for the Conference
Minister Brig-Gen Abel hosted a dinner in honour of
the guests and entrepreneurs there. 

___________________________

( 9 ) Health Minister receives Malaysian delegation

Yangon, 19 Aug - Minister for Health Maj-G en Ket Sein
received the Malaysian delegation led by Executive
Chairman of Multimedia Development Corporation Tan Sri
Dato Dr Othmar Yeop Abdullah at his office of the
ministry on Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Street in DagonTownship
at 4 pm today. 

---------

A & I Minister receives Ambassador

Yangon, 19 Aug - Minister for Agriculture and
Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin received Ambassador of
Egypt to Myanmar Mr Farouk Riad Hassan Mabroukwho had
completed his tour of duty at his office at 2.30 pm
today. They cordially discussed matters relating to
bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
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