Lesson 6

5. Issues of National Concern

5.1 Malaysia’s policy on regional and

International affairs

5.2 Development and the environment

Malaysian Studies 2

1

Malaysia’s Policy on

Regional and World Affairs

Introduction

• Malaysia plays an important role in establishing cooperation in various directions through active participation in areas like trade, environment and social development.

• Associations of Asian Nations ( ASEAN ) is important for building up unity and a network of sustained sharing among the countries involved.

• South East Asian countries had to form external policies to be in line of the development and advancement, for example, technology and knowledge.

• Malaysian actively plays a role according to its capability in efforts to help other developing countries through various programmes.

Malaysia and Regional Relations

• ASEAN is the Organization of South East Asian Countries, set up following the Bangkok Declaration – 8th August 1967.

• All five Foreign Ministers of the member countries signed the declaration.– Tun Adam Malik ( Indonesia), Tun Thanat Khoman (Thailand), S.Rajaratnam

(Singapore), Narcisco Ramos (Philippines) and Tun Abdul Razak (Malaysia)

• In January 1984, Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN.

• In 1999, Cambodia became the 7th member.

• Followed by, Vietnam (1995), Myanmar (Burma) and Laos (1997)

• Making ASEAN to consist of ten members altogether.

Objective • The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the

Association are:

(1) to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian nations,

(2) to promote regional peace and stability through long-lasting respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

• In 1995, the ASEAN Heads of State and Government re-affirmed that “Cooperative peace and shared prosperity shall be the fundamental goals of ASEAN.”

• Although ASEAN States cooperate mainly on economic and social issues, the organization has a security function, with a long-discussed program for confidence-building measures and for establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia,

– with the objective of implementing ASEAN’s 1971 Declaration on a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN), and a Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), which would be a component of ZOPFAN.

• ASEAN also reached an agreement with the European Economic Union ( EEC ), the United States, Canada, Australia,New Zealand and Japan in the second ASEAN Heads of States Conference (1977).

• In the conference, Japan, New Zealand and Australia agreed to contribute towards ASEAN development.

• Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ ) – underline the importance of the aspect of maritime boundaries.– Avoid political disputes among countries in the region

Malaysia and World Affairs

Commonwealth Organization

• Organization of former, independent British colonies.

• Today, there are 49 members in the Commonwealth including Malaysia.

• Malaysia uses the Commonwealth as a bridge for participating in various socio-economic and political activities.

• Malaysia is the Commonwealth Secretariat for drawing up technical cooperation programmes such as technology management, agricultural training, environment and remote sensing.

South – South Cooperation

• Strategic programme for strengthening friendly ties among members of the Movement of Non-aligned Countries or “Non-Aligned Movement” (NAM)

• Specifically in the aspect of protection of trade, banking and finance, price fixing and commodities, industry, information exchange, investment and technical cooperation.

• Emerged for the first time in the Asia Africa Conference in Bandoeng in 1955.

• The conference proclaimed the importance of economic development and cooperation among member countries.

• The comprehensive framework of the common agreement was made in the Group of 77 Conference in Caracas, Venezuela in 1981

• In May 1986, Malaysia was the initiator for the formation of a South Commission in the South-South II Intellectuals and Statesmen Conference in Kuala Lumpur.

• The South Commission was formed with members comprising political figures from Tanzania, India, Egypt, Brazil, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, West Samoa, Argentina, Uruguay, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Philippines, Mexico, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Yugoslavia, Venezuela, China, Guyana, Cuba, Pakistan, Senegal, Indonesia, Algeria and Malaysia.

• NAM’s 13th Conference hosted by KL in Feb 2003 ended with a collective call “to seek justice and freedom from oppression and economic hegemony, besides making war illegal to solve the world’s problem.

Malaysia and the Organization of Islamic Countries

• As an Islamic nation, Malaysia is a respected role model because of the continual efforts at forging closer ties with other Islamic countries in the world.

• The idea to form Organization of Islamic Countries ( OIC) was made at the Conference of Islamic Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, in March 1970.

• OIC was set up in May 1971, and was known as the Islamic Commonwealth or Islamic Secretariat.

• A total of 43 countries are members of the OIC.

International Fight Against Drug

• The abuse and smuggling of drug is a threat to the Malaysian and international peace loving and health conscious society.

• Malaysia has taken firm and measures to fight against drug abuse to build a healthy and progressive social and economic life.

• Malaysian government has spent a great deal of money to surmount and destroy this immoral activity.– Through campaigns, establishing rehabilitations centers,

immigration and custom check.

• Malaysia and the ASEAN countries have combined their strength to combat drug abuse since 1976.

The United Nations Organization

• Malaysia strives to carry on a positive role in the United Nations Organization.

• In Malaysia’s judgement, wars are destructive and cause damage to property, the huge loss of lives will cause an imbalance in economic, political and social strength, wealth and progress.

• Malaysia firmly supports the philosophy, objective and programmes of the United Nations.

• This organization was created to bring about unity and stability though consultation and discussion programmes among other countries.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

• UNESCO was set up on 4th November 1946.

• Poor, backward countries are the main focus of UNESCO for carrying out development, particularly in science and technology.

• Have close cooperation to eliminate illiteracy.

• Improve the level of cooperation in education and culture to create world unity and welfare.

• Today, it’s membership stands at 161.

Development and the

Environment

Introduction

• Quality environment contributes to the efforts at raising productivity and economic growth in the short and long run.

• A number of mechanisms, institutions and programmes are implemented to overcome environmental pollution– To restore natural resources through various national and

international programmes such as the United Nations Conference for the Environment and Development.

• To enhance steady development, a positive economic mechanism is implemented.

• This strategy is supported by the strict enforcement of fair laws.

Care and Conservation of Quality of Environment

• The policy of the country as regards the environment is,

1. To have a clean, safe, healthy and productive environment for the present and future generations.

2. To protect and conserve natural resources and the country’s unique cultural heritage through the effective involvement of everyone.

3. To encourage a way of life and a pattern in utilization and production that is aligned to the principle of sustained development.

Discussion

• List the types of pollutions.

• What causes pollution?

• How can we prevent pollution?

The Principle of Environmental Protection and Conservation

• The government has outlined several principles in tackling various environmental problems.1. Protection of the environment2. Conservation of soil fertility and environmental quality3. Sustained improvement in standard and quality of health and

safety4. Stress on the integration of various aspects to create

environmental quality5. Commitment and accountability towards quality of

environment6. Determine the suitability and effectiveness of using natural

resources7. Active involvement at the international level.

Inculcating Awareness Among Official Bodies and the People

i) Education and Training Programmes• Education on the environment is made part of the curriculum in all

range of schools.– Students will cherish a love for cleanliness, beauty and high

health standards• Curriculum and then accompanied by co-curricular activities.• The Industrial Standard and Research institute (SIRIM) launched an

environmental protection programme among small and medium-sized industries.

• local authorities provide training to their staff – comprehensive understanding of environmental cleanliness management.

• Department for the Environment and the National Film Department –distribute various info to increase society’s awareness

ii ) Non-Governmental Organization Programmes

• Activities are reinforced by exhibitions with the cooperation of the media and the private sector.– Activities for schoolchildren, quiz and awareness campaigns such as “Love Our Rivers”,

“Tree Planting Campaigns”, “Clean and Beautiful Campaign”, “Haze Awareness Campaign” and teaching the society about conservations of natural resources or the environment.

• The Malaysian Business Council and the Malaysian Business Council for Sustained Development established in 1992 – encourage the business community to protect the environment.

• Malaysian International Business and Industry Assembly through the 16 principles of the Business Charter for Sustained Development – are applied when handling environmental problems.

• The private sectors sponsors recycling campaigns and the disposal of solid things like aluminum tins, plastic, bottles and papers.

Conclusion

• The government has taken strategic measures to enhance the quality of the environment through various methods.

• The concern on the environment becomes a practice for Malaysians to love a clean, safe and healthy environment while sustaining national development.

• Protecting and conserving the environment becomes a responsibility that contributes towards national development.

• The government sector, the non-governmental organizations, agreement with regional and international countries are very important in fostering global understanding and awareness towards the creation of quality of environment.