Oleh/By		:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	THE HILTON HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	24/08/82 
Tajuk/Title  	:	THE 5TH. ASEAN-JAPAN SYMPOSIUM 




2. This Symposium is being held at a very opportune time, as it will
enable the participants to examine the many difficult regional and
international issues and challenges of today, facing not only the
developing countries, such as those in the ASEAN region, but also the
developed world, of which Japan is a prominent member.

3. For the ASEAN countries, the political developments in the region,
coupled with the uncertain international economic outlook, impose severe
pressures and challenges.

4. ASEAN today is faced with two major problems -- one, the instability
and uncertainty caused by the situation in Indochina. In particular, the
presence of large numbers of Vietnamese forces close to the Thai-Kampuchea
border has destabilised the situation even further. Consequently there has
been an influx of refugees from Indochina, although somewhat abated from
the crisis proportions of a few years back.

5. The second major problem arises out of the current world recession
which has compounded the inflationary pressures we are facing and
threatens to retard the industrialisation efforts of the ASEAN
countries. The developed countries have opted for protectionism as a
panacea for their ailing industries. If this tendency is not checked, not
only would the exports of developing countries be affected but their
development and industrialisation efforts would be seriously hampered.

6. I am gratified to see that through concerted effort and united stand,
ASEAN has largely been able to face these challenges. Since its
establishment in 1967, ASEAN, through scientific, has contributed to
stability and prosperity among its members. In setting up ASEAN, its
founding fathers envisaged the grouping as one that can lessen tension and
rivalry within the group while enabling effective regional cooperation in
the pursuit of development and group resilience. The ensuing cooperative
endeavour of ASEAN, and the recognition and cooperation given to it by its
dialogue partners and the international community had further helped to
buttress the association as a regional organisation for peace, progress
and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

7. Creating the conditions for national and regional stability is
important for ASEAN. While efforts towards strengthening national and
regional resilience are being vigorously pursued through its many
consultative and joint activities, ASEAN is also mindful of the need to
create and promote a stable political environment in Southeast
Asia. Consistent with this desire, the leaders of ASEAN declared in
November 1971 in Kuala Lumpur, that ASEAN would pursue the creation of a
Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality in Southeast Asia. The leaders of
ASEAN firmly believe that given their freedom from superpower dominance
and interference, neighbouring states could successfully set aside their
differences to forge a common purpose and objective to bring about a new
international order in Southeast Asia on the basis of mutual respect and
co-existence irrespective of their socio-economic systems.

8. Consistent with the principles of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, ASEAN
countries extended the hands of friendship to the new regimes in Vietnam,
Laos and Kampuchea. ASEAN states, in quick succession, established
diplomatic relations with the Indochinese states to provide the necessary
links for a meaningful cooperation with the hope of creating regional
stability. Exchanges of visits that followed within the short space of
time immediately after the establishment of diplomatic relations which
culminated in the visits by the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Mr. Phan Van
Dong to the ASEAN countries in 1978, set the ground for new opportunities
to lay the basis for meaningful cooperation and peaceful co-existence
between ASEAN and the Indochinese countries. But these opportunities were,
however, lost when Vietnam intervened militarily and occupied
Kampuchea. This she did with the open support of the Soviet
Union. Vietnamese military intervention and occupation of Kampuchea had
not only violated the principles of international law and the Charter of
the United Nations, but also disrupted ASEAN's peaceful move of forging a
rivalry has since added to the destablising of this region.

9. Conscious that such rivalry must be removed from Indochina before any
prospect of establishing a durable peace and stability in Southeast Asia
can be achieved, ASEAN was more than ever determined to pursue the
objective of ZOPFAN. In this context, the central thrust of ASEAN's effort
is to work for a political solution of the Kampuchean problem, through the
Declaration and resolutions of UN International Conference on Kampuchea
(ICK).

10. ASEAN's efforts towards the search for a political solution of the
Kampuchean problem will continue to be vigorously pursued. To ASEAN the
continued military occupation of Kampuchea by Vietnam, would only invite
further interference, domination and rivalry among major powers leading to
further instability in the region. It is, therefore, in the interest of
Vietnam as well as of ASEAN that the Kampuchean problem should be quickly
resolved. ASEAN's approach to the solution of the Kampuchean problem on
the basis of the ICK Declaration and resolutions which called for the
total withdrawal of Vietnamese forces in Kampuchea and the exercise of the
right of self-determination by the Kampuchean people is aimed at
establishing a sovereign, independent and neutral Kampuchea respected and
guaranteed by the great powers. Such a solution would exclude external
powers' interference and domination. It would also constitute an important
step towards the realisation of ZOPFAN.

11. The formation of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea in
June, 1982 under the Presidency of Prince Sihanouk, in ASEAN's view, would
greatly contribute to the achievement of a political solution envisaged
under ICK.

Malaysia, together with its ASEAN partners, are committed to support
Sihanouk's Government. In this context, it is our hope that the
international community would give their support to strengthen the
Government under the Presidency of Prince Sihanouk.

12. It has long been recognised that the political situation in Southeast
Asia, directly or indirectly, impinges on Japan's economic and strategic
interests. A prosperous and stable ASEAN is important to the maintenance
of peace and stability in the region and therefore merits Japan's
support. Such support, directed towards the socio-economic development in
ASEAN countries, has manifested itself in Japan's increased overseas
development assistance (ODA) and private sector investment and Japan is
also assisting in the promotion of trade, tourism and intra-ASEAN cultural
activities.

13. Over the years relations between ASEAN and Japan in the economic,
social and cultural fields have become very close.

These relations have been nurtured not only through the regular meetings
of the ASEAN-Japan Forum but also at Ministerial level. There is no doubt
that Japan's assistance to ASEAN is highly valued. Financial assistance
amounting to US$1 billion has been offered for the implementation of the
ASEAN Industrial Projects. These projects are of special significance as
they are regarded as important in fostering solidarity, unity and
cooperation in the ASEAN region.

14. In the field of trade, ASEAN and Japan have registered yearly
increases in terms of value. It showed a substantial increase over the
past few years; from US$20 billion in 1979 it rose to US$34 billion in
1980 and registering US$30 billion for the period January to October
1981. ASEAN is in fact Japan's second largest trading partner after the
United States.

15. However, it should be borne in mind that the bulk of ASEAN's exports
to Japan still comprises raw materials and fuel. Only a mere 7% of ASEAN's
exports to Japan are manufactured products. Needless to say, the continued
imposition of non-tariff restrictions have impeded the growth of ASEAN's
export of manufactured products to Japan.

These measures include quotas, the cumbersome and intricate procedures of
the Japanese Industrial Standard Marketing System, the import confirmation
system, health requirements for meat and marine products, etc.

16. One positive aspect of Japanese contribution in the field of trade
cooperation has been the establishment of the ASEAN Promotion Centre on
Trade, Investment and Tourism in Tokyo. This Centre could be made into an
effective instrument to further promote ASEAN-Japan economic relations.

17. The potentials for mutually beneficial cooperation between ASEAN and
Japan are great. We should therefore use our best endeavours to realise
these potentials. ASEAN is a viable organisation and is one of the most
successful regional groupings. As such, we in ASEAN feel that the ASEAN
grouping can and should play an active role in fostering economic
prosperity and political stability in the region. Similarly, Japan as the
most economically developed countries has a role to play in contributing
towards the continued development and stability of the region. ASEAN and
Japan can make a lasting contribution to regional and indeed world peace
and stability by working together on the basis of equal partnership and
mutual respect.

18. In conclusion, I would like to touch very briefly on Malaysia's policy
of 'Looking East.' Since its pronouncement, this 'Look East' policy has
been the focus of interest both in this country and Japan, among public
and government circles alike. It has also attracted attention from other
quarters. Basically, and at the expense of repeating myself, this policy
calls on Malaysians to look towards Japan and other rapidly developing
eastern nations for inspiration, methods and skills in the attempt to
develop Malaysia. We want particularly to emulate and learn from the
Japanese the work ethics and attitudes and the management system which we
think is the main factor in their rapid growth and
industrialisation. Looking East does not mean total Japanization, or a
complete break with the West.

But it certainly means the almost total dependence on the West will be
replaced by a more balanced attitude towards both East and West. Look East
also does not mean that we will do business only with the particular
countries in the East. We will continue with our traditional trading
partners as long as it pays to do so. It should be clear that looking east
will not result in the kind of lop-sided policy that we had when we used
to "Look West." In fact it will mean a much more equitable policy, in
which the best of the East and West will guide the development of
Malaysia.

19. It is our hope that in time to come, our people will be inculcated
with the same sense of dedication, responsibility and loyalty towards work
that we find in the Japanese people. However, our 'Look East' policy
should not just be a one-way traffic. For this, we seek the close
cooperation, understanding and assistance not only from the Japanese
Government but also from the Japanese public in general in order to make
this policy of ours a success.

Thank you.

Prime Minister's Office,