US Stirs More Storms To South China Sea Conflicts

Since March 2011, both Vietnam and the Philippines have engaged in several rounds of arguments with China over the sovereignty disputes of islands in the South China Sea. These conflicts have led to a sudden increase of tension in the South China Sea. More recently, Vietnam has even come out with official protest against China, making claim that China has dispatched its warships to interfere with a Vietnamese ship's oil exploration work in the South China Sea, cutting and damaging the ship's undersea oil probing cable.
However, the Philippines also accused China for invading the Philippines' territorial waters as many as seven times within this year. Moreover, the Manila Government also claimed that since its protest against China's invasion of its territorial waters could not be resolved, it has now decided to appeal the case to the United Nations. Yet China's response to the Philippines was that China's vessels were sailing along its own territorial waters. China claimed it did not violate any other country's territorial rights at all.
Dispute Over Sovereignty Rights
By virtue, any dispute over the sovereignty rights of islands in the South China Sea is but the dispute between 'two families' namely ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) and China. In the past, when there were disputes over issues pertaining to conflicts in some of the islands in the South China Sea, the members of these two families would sit down and negotiate a way out to settle the dispute.

However, ever since US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came out with remarks saying that 'the United States has the obligation to ensure free and secure maritime shipping route along the South China Sea' and presented a high profile of US intention in wanting to involve in the South China Sea affairs when she attended the ASEAN Regional Forum held in Vietnam in July 2010, the United States has indeed stirred more storms to the South China Sea. The sky above the South China Sea has suddenly changed color, and the atmosphere in the South China Sea has also become increasingly tense among countries surrounding the Sea.
Expansion of China's Military Power
On 4 June, when US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was in Singapore attending the Tenth Asian Security Conference, Gates reiterated the US position in the South China Sea. He said the United States will maintain 'strong' military power in this region to guard its allies and to protect the Southeast Asian region's waterways and the region's maritime security. Indirectly, Gates also hinted that the expansion of China's military power has threatened Asian countries. Yet of note is that China's Defense Minister General Liang Guanglie was also among the representative attending the same Asian Security Conference held in Singapore.
From these recent incidents, it is not difficult for us to see that the US involvement in the South China Sea affairs has already disrupted the 'warm relationship' that ASEAN has all along maintained with China. It is also not difficult for us understand that of late, China's high-profiled execution of power in the protection of its maritime interest in the South China Sea is but a design for China to resist the power competition coming from the United States. Of course, the Chinese authority also knows that the reason why Vietnam and the Philippines will loudly accuse China for violating their respective maritime territorial rights is because they have received encouragement from the United States indirectly. As such, at this stage of time, the sovereignty dispute in the South China Sea is no long an issue between the 'two families' namely ASEAN and China. The South China Sea issue has been internationalized. We trust that if some major happening or conflicts ever happens in the South China Sea in the coming days, the United States will definitely want to get involved in it.
Issues and Problems
Issues and problems pertaining to the South China Sea are indeed very complex because these complex issues have involved many countries. Besides China, many other countries have also claimed their rights over certain portion of the group of islands in the South China Sea. These countries have included Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. If the conflict in the South China Sea cannot be resolved in an amiable manner, it can lead to military conflicts in any minute.
In this regard, what our Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak recently said at the 10th Asian Security Conference held in Singapore should be viewed as a hint for the direction that ASEAN countries should go in order to resolve the conflicts in the South China Sea. Najib said: 'As long as we treat China positively and constructively, China will also make the same response to us. China is a country well known for returning kindness to other countries when it has received kindness from others.'

Power of Malaysian Youths During General Elections

Instead of saying that the young people in Malaysia is a charming force, it might be more appropriate to say that it is the power of the youth votes during general elections that has made the young people in Malaysia charming. There is no need for us to elaborate on the importance of youth votes in Malaysia during general elections. The importance of it is beyond words. If it is not, then there is no need for all the political parties to make great and aggressive effort to register young people eligible for voting in the next coming general election.
From ruling Prime Minister Najib Razak to Malaysian Chinese Association President Chua Soi Lek and Palanivel (Party President of Malaysian Indian Congress); and from opposition Anwar (Anwar Ibrahim, leader of Parti Keadilan Rakyat) to Lim Kit Siang (Advisor to Democratic Action Party) and Hadi Awang (President of Pan Malaysian Islamic Party), both the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) have put the Malaysian youths as the top category of voters they want to win over. They have created a lot of opportunities by making contacts with the young people in order to fight for the political support from each and every young face emerges in front of them.
Regardless of whether they are ruling or opposition party leaders, top politicians in Malaysia nowadays are going all out to exchange views with young office workers through radio and television channels. They sit on open fields and watch live football match with the young people. They chat with young 'Netizens' through Internet connection. All these behaviors adopted by the leading politicians in Malaysia in order to move closer to the young people are something we cannot image before the 8 March 2008 general election.
Safeguard Future of Putrajaya
As for Prime Minister Najib Razak, he has even gone to the edge and expanded his election war front by calling the Malaysian youths to 'safeguard the future of Putrajaya' and to avoid Malaysia from being 'pawned' or 'sold out' by the opposition parties. Such a candid statement by our national leader has clearly elaborated the importance of Malaysian youths and the relationship between the young people and Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia.
Prime Minister Najib Razak has recently announced that the Government plans to introduce a 'Parliament for Youths' to allow the young people to elect their own representatives in this youth parliament so that they can debate and express their views on the any proposed national policies. He said the young people can develop and come out with their own rules and regulations in running this 'parliament for the youths' including allowing the young people to decide if the youth representatives of this youth parliament should be below 30 or 40 years of age.
As a matter of fact, as early as in December 2010, the PR-ruled Penang State Government has already come out with such a concept. Abdul Halim, Speaker of the Penang State Assembly has already proposed a 'Youth Council' to allow young people below the age of 21 (who still do not have the right to vote) to discuss and debate their views on Penang state policies in the lobby of the Penang state legislature hall. The purpose is to allow the younger generation to express their views about the nation.
Parliament for Youths
Unfortunately, Penang Speaker Abdul Halim's personal recommendation on the setting up a 'Youth Council' for the PR-ruled Penang state government has by now been over shadowed by Prime Minister Najib Razak's proposal for the setting up a parliament for the youths. Yet this is not the first time that some good ideas coming from the opposition alliance are picked and used by the ruling government. Earlier, PR, the opposition alliance has raised the problem pertaining to the difficulty for young people in the country to find appropriate housing in urban cities. Pakatan Rakyat has indeed identified the right pulse of the young pe ople by saying that this group of population lacks the financial capability to buy affordable housing in the cities.
At this juncture, both the ruling BN Government and the two respective PR-ruled state governments in Penang and Selangor are all actively pushing forward their respective affordable housing scheme for the young working adults. Nevertheless, it is quite obvious that the resource rich ruling BN has reaped the advantage of obtaining advance publicity on such proposed housing projects for the young people although neither the ruling BN nor the opposition PR has indeed identified the construction plots for this kind of affordable housing projects for young people.
To the young people in Malaysia, since the ruling BN and opposition PR are both fighting hard to come out with policies to please the young voters, Malaysian youths are also happy to move along with such a development and keep watch on the healthy competition between the two rival political camps. As such, the angry youths of the by-passed year cannot be seen in Malaysia now. The rebellious characteristic of Malaysian youths has gradually faded and in its place the young people in Malaysia have gradually accepted the new concept that 'young people are important in this country.'
Criticism and Rebellion
Criticism and rebellion coming from the young people are but channels for them to express their thought and feeling. Now the rebellious young people in Malaysia have turned to use their 'hot blood' in wanting to build an idealistic home and country they have in mind. The energetic and dynamic Malaysian youths with pure and innocent hearts now represent an era of hope for Malaysia.
Yet, behind the young people's innocent thought, there is this political mobilization force orchestrated by political parties and politicians with hidden political motive. They make use of the young people to carry out youth rallies and youth activities. Without the young people knowing it, Malaysian politicians fight among themselves with the hidden consideration to divide and pull the millions of youth votes to their sides and for their political advantage. They know that the frank and innocent youths will give them a refreshing and a plus positive image for their political parties.
Ruling BN has already run Malaysia's political shop for more than half a century. The present BN Government has inherited a less-than-positive image from the previous government with a negative baggage of corruption, among others. By attracting the refreshing young people to their side, the young people can give the ruling government a refreshing outlook and thus creating a favorable image for the ruling party. By reaching out to the young people, the BN Government can also indirectly dilute the rebellious thought and behavior of the young people of the past years.
Decisionmaking Process
For sure, the rebellious behavior of the Malaysian youths in the past is but a way for them to fight for more rights to express their views. Malaysian youths want to be respected by the ruling authorities and they want people to listen to them. The demand and appeal of the Malaysian youths are due basically to the fact that they are not happy that the authority in power has prearranged of what their future world should be like. They feel that the authority in power has imposed too much intervention and constraints on them. To the young people, the decisions taken by the authority on how the young people should behavior is equaled to rejecting the idea of the young people. To them, it also means that the right of the young people has been monopolized by authority in power.
When young people are deprived of their power to participate in the decisionmaking process they will use a more intense way to rebound. They are not a weak or a disadvantaged group of the society. However, more often than not, the reasonable appeals of the Malaysian youths in the past were not respected by the ruling authorities. In this regard, if political parties continue to ignore the voices of the young people and young voters, they will ultimately suffer from the negative consequences of not paying attention to the young people.
Troubles and Ridiculous Issues
Believing is a kind of force. When both ruling and opposition parties in Malaysia believe that the power of Malaysian youths can influence the political outcome of the country and even rewrite the political history in Malaysia, they begin to pay attention to the appeals and aspiration of the young people now. Politicians begin to come down from their high political platform to meet and get in touch with the young people in the country. The ruling government has also begun to include policies that represent views and voices of the youths into the mainstream national policies.Nowadays, young people demand change for their future. They know that the age that belongs to them has come. Those who rule the nation can no long continue to hide inside their authoritative comfort zone without going out to meet with the young people. They can no long think that the young people outside their doors are but the same old younger generation of the past years that did not have their own thought and whom they thought was but a group of young people who knew nothing in addition to creating troubles and ridiculous issues for the government.

US-Malaysia Bilateral Relations

Ever since Malaysia gained independence in 1967, Malaysia has continued to maintain close relationship with the United States. In the fields of trade and economic as well as in cultural and educational exchanges, the bilateral ties between the two countries have never been cut off at any one time but that over the years the relationship between Malaysia and the United States has remained intimate and close.
Harmonious Ties
In more recent years, the mutual visits between the senior government officials from Malaysia and the United States have even been more frequent than before. From 17 to 18 May, Prime Minister Najib Razak will again pay an official visit to the United States. Najib's coming visit to the United States is a trip that all Malaysians have high expectation on the result it will bring to the country. This is a trip that the two countries can expect to further strengthen the already harmonious ties. This will also be a trip that can promote bilateral economic activities.
All along, Malaysia and the United States have maintained sustainable and multiple bilateral cooperation ties in many fields. Of special note is that the economic and trade ties between the two countries have continued to grow along a stable path. Such a stable bilateral economic and trade relationship between the two can be traced as early as from the 1960's period.
During the 1960's period, the goods that the United States exported to Malaysia have included soy beans, dairy, manufacturing materials for making iron and steel, plastic, organic chemistry, generators and accessories and medical equipment. The finished US products Malaysia would want to import from the United States have included products such as electronic appliances, machineries, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, steel and iron products as well as chemical products.
According to the 2010 Annual report of the Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia), the United States is now Malaysia's fourth largest trading partner. The total trade volume between Malaysia and the United States has accounted for 10 percent of Malaysia's total trade volume.
Malaysia's Department of Statistics has also pointed out that as of the first quarter of 2011 (that ends in March); the United States is still Malaysia's largest investor. The US investment capital to Malaysia has reached $322.6 million.
On the other hand, the information provided by the US Department of State website has stated that Malaysia is the 18th largest trading partner of the United States. The average annual two-way trade volume between the United States and Malaysia has amounted to $33.7 billion.
In 2009, the trade in services volume between Malaysia and the United States has reached $2.8 billion. In 2009, Malaysia was the United States' 21st largest export country with a US export volume to Malaysia totaling $10.4 billion. In 2009, Malaysia was the 13th largest good supplier country for the United States; the US import volume from Malaysia was $23.3 billion.
On a cumulative calculation, the United States is the largest foreign investor in Malaysia. The United States was also the largest single source of new foreign direct investment for Malaysia in 2010.
Many US enterprises have already established their bases in Malaysia. Most of these US companies are involved in the electronics, manufacturing, and oil and gas industries. Until the end of 2009, the US direct investment in the manufacturing sector in Malaysia was $15.1 billion (about M$45.3bil ringgit), with billions of dollars of additional investment in the oil and gas and financial services sector.
As for Malaysia's foreign direct investment in the United States, in 2009, it has reached $430mil (about M$1.29bil ringgit). The foreign direct investment was mainly in the wholesale area.
Free Trade Agreement Negotiation
In March 2006, Malaysia and the United States initiated a negotiation on a bilateral free trade agreement. But the original bilateral trade and investment agreement framework actually began in 2004.
Nevertheless, after Malaysia and the United States began their formal round of free trade agreement in 2006, representatives from both countries held another meeting in Penang from 12 to 16 June in 2006. On 17 July, representatives from both countries held a second round of Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement negotiation in Washington, D.C.
To negotiate for this Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement, Malaysia and the United States have established 19 negotiation subcommittees to deal with the different trade issues between the two countries. By December 2008, both countries have already gone through eight rounds of trade negotiation and the free trade agreement deals between the two countries were almost come to a seal. However, due to the fact that on issues relating to Malaysian Government's government tendering system and on Malaysia's national policy relating to certain competition issue, both countries could not reach a consensus. In the end the Malaysia-US Trade Negotiation Agreement could not be sealed.
Nevertheless, in October 2010 Malaysia decided to join the region to negotiate for a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement. On 5 October 2010, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk also officially informed the Speaker of the US House of Representatives that Malaysia has officially joined in the negotiations on the TPP agreement. This TPP free trade agreement is a multilateral partnership trade agreement. It includes countries such as Australia, the United States, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, and Vietnam. The main purpose of the TPP is to provide a platform for the United States and other large economic body such as countries in the Asia-Pacific region to create a wider trade market collectively. This TPP free trade agreement when sealed, will become a high level trade agreement in the 21st century.
Besides economic and trade cooperation, the bilateral cooperation ties between Malaysia and the United States have also extended to other areas. This is especially so in the cooperation in security issues including counterterrorism, maritime domain awareness, and regional stability. The relationship between the United States and Malaysian militaries is also strong with numerous exchanges, training, joint exercises, and visits. In July 2006 when the then US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the United States have even signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).
On people-to-people exchange, Malaysia and the United States have a long standing history. As of today, the total Malaysians who have studied in the United States is well over 100,000. During peak period, the total yearly Malaysian students registered at the US universities can be over 7,000.
Government-Sponsored Exchange Programs
In 2009, approximately 130 Malaysians have taken part in US Government-sponsored exchange programs for professional development and study. Each year, about 50 Americans travel to Malaysia under US Government auspices to share their experience as visiting academics or speakers.
In addition, over the years, more than 1,500 Malaysians have participated in the US Government's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Approximately 2,000 Malaysians have participated in the US Fulbright Program, Humphrey Program, Eisenhower Program, and Youth Exchange for Study Program.
For the above mentioned US Government sponsored programs, prominent Malaysian alumni have included federal ministers, deputy ministers, and members of parliament from both the ruling party and opposition parties. Former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir has also become an alumnus of a US Government sponsored exchange program held in 1973.

Osama Bin Laden Killed: Future Prospects

The world was shocked when United States President Barack Obama announced that Al-Qa'ida's top leader Osama Bin Laden was killed. Al-Qa'ida's leader who was born in Saudi Arabia and lived in hiding was reported to be killed in a special operation by the Unites States military at a house in Abbotabad near Islamabad, Pakistan.
News of Bin Laden's death was greatly welcomed by the United States and its allies. Such reaction may be different from those who sympathize with Bin Laden's cause.
Believed To Be Mastermind Behind 9/11
Bin Laden is believed to be the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks against the United States that lead to Wshington's invasion of Afghanistan as the Taliban regime was beleived to be sheltering the Al-Qa'ida leader.
For a long time the United States lead the operation to hunt for Bin Laden but failed to track him down. If it is true that Bin Laden was successfully killed, would his death be enough to bring back peace to the world?
World Reactions
The entire world media turned their attention to the news of the death of Usama Bin Laden after it was announced by US President Barack Obama. British Prime Minister David Cameroon said that the death of Usama would bring peace in the entire world. Former US President George W. Bush said that justice was done by the death of Bin Laden.
Former US President Bill Clinton said that the death of Bin Laden was news of peace and security for the entire world. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is hopeful that the death of Bin Laden will bring about a more peaceful, safe and just world.
People's Expectations
Similarly, Muslims are also hopeful that a world free of terrorism will become a reality. Most important of all, as stated by many people across the world, is that Bin Laden's death will help restore the good name of Islam that was tainted by the negative image brought on by the al-Qa'idah leader. Since the September 11 tragedy we have witnessed violence and suicide bomb attacks at tourist attractions in the West that have become targets for Al-Qa'ida.
Each time violence is carried out by loyal followers of Bin Laden, the name of Islam is tarnished. Islam is viewed as a religion that endorses violence, despite the fact that it does not.
Future Prospects
Although reports have said that Bin Laden is dead, his absence is no guarantee that terrorism has ended. Peace and destruction of this world is not in the hands of Bin Laden whom was made a scapegoat during the era of former United States President George W. Bush.
This is the greatest concern of all. Will the world witness peace, or a new series of terror attacks as part of a retaliation from supporters of Bin Laden and Al-Qa'ida? We have seen many times that the use of military action to counter the threat posed by terrorists have failed to reduce activities related to terrorism.
We have to look at the root cause of terrorism from various surrounding aspects such as injustice, poverty, and economic disparity.
Nevertheless all parties should remain calm in the wake of Bin Laden's death. This is the time for the global community to erase their misperception and misunderstanding toward Islam and terrorism. The world must stand united against terrorism.

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao Visits Malaysia

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao arrived in Kuala Lumpur 27 April to begin his two-day official visit. During his visit to Malaysia, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will hold talk with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, respectively. In addition, Wen Jiabao will witness the signing of the agreement on mutual recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education and the signing of agreement to expand and deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will also visit University Malaya and hold dialogue with university students. He will also make widespread contact with Malaysians from different sectors.
Region's Stability and Development
This is Wen Jiabao's second visit to Malaysia in his capacity as the Chinese prime minister. His visit highlights the fact that the Chinese Government has attached great importance in wanting to build bilateral relations with Malaysia. Moreover, Prime Minister Najib Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin have also visited Beijing in June 2009 and in April 2011, respectively. They also met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao during their respective visit to China. During these visits, both sides have, besides exchanged respective views on regional security, economic and trade relationship, our Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have also specifically stressed on the need for Malaysia and China to strengthen governmental and private sector mutual exchanges and visits. This has allowed the bilateral ties between Malaysia and China to continually be sustained and expanded based on such a good foundation. Both Malaysia and China are important and influential countries in this region. As such, the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to Malaysia is not only an important event in the history of Malaysia-China bilateral relationship; Wen's visit to Malaysia will have a positive impact on the region's stability and development.
Malaysia and China have established diplomatic ties for 37 years. 37 years ago, under the joint effort taken by the later former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Razak, former Chairman Mao Zedong, and former Prime Minister Zhou Enlai, Malaysia and China achieved the common goal in the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries and thus paved a new milestone to bridge the historical bilateral exchanges since Zheng He (an ancient Chinese official) sailed through the West Pacific and visited Malaysia. Overall, during the past 37 years, the various official and non-governmental bilateral exchanges between Malaysia and China can be described as growing along a steady and sustainable path. Although the political and societal system between Malaysia and China is different; and although the point of view and traditional value between the two countries may not necessarily be the same, but such differences do not prevent the two countries from developing mutually beneficial and friendly ties based on the basic principle of peaceful coexistence.
Bilateral Economic and Trade Cooperation
Malaysia was the first country in this region to appoint and send economic and trade officials to visit Beijing after 1989. This indicates that in the formulation of China policy, our Malaysian government has put national interest as top priority and has fully considered the situation in this region objectively. When Prime Minister Najib Razak attended the World Chinese Economic Forum held in Kuala Lumpur in November last year, he commented that the peaceful emergence of China has made China becoming the world most important economic power; China is also one of the most important investment targets in the world community. At that Chinese Economic Forum, Najib has specially mentioned and encouraged Chinese Malaysians to serve as the friendly bridge between Malaysia and China so that Malaysia can benefit from the huge and vast China market.
As a matter of fact, the economic and trade exchange between Malaysia and China is an important factor in the overall bilateral ties between the two countries. Earlier, during the 70's, the trade volume between Malaysia and China was only between $200 million and $300 million. It was very insignificant. However, since China carried out reform and opening up, the bilateral economic and trade ties between Malaysia and China have gradually accelerated. By the end of 1996, the bilateral trade volume between Malaysia and China has gone up beyond the $10 billion mark. In 2010, the bilateral trade volume has reached $74.2 billion. It was an increase of 43 percent as compared with 2009. With the implementation of ASEAN China Free Trade Agreement, more enterprises from China have come to invest in Malaysia. We can expect the bilateral trade volume between Malaysia and China to reach the $100 billion mark very soon. China has accumulated a lot of valuable experience through its own economic development. China's economic development experience can benefit Malaysia's modernization and industrialization process. Today, Malaysia is making effort to accelerate its national goal towards achieving an advanced industrial nation status. What Malaysia can learn from China's economic development experience can continue to increase beyond our expectation.
Overall, Malaysia's investment environment is also improving. The potential of Malaysia's economic development and the potential of Malaysia's trade market are strong and solid. Many intellectuals from China have already pointed out such a trade potential in Malaysia.
In fact, foreign investment in Malaysia coming from China has shown an uprising trend in recent years. With the visit of Wen Jiabao to Malaysia this time, Wen's visit should be able to further increase the confidence and interest of the Malaysian and Chinese business and industrial sectors to mutually invest in each other's country. The bilateral trade ties between Malaysia and China will also usher new prospects in further development.
Working Toward Common Interest
More and more economists now acknowledge that China's reform and opening up has not only allowed China to achieve great economic accomplishment, but that if China continues to grow in accordance with the current pace, China will eventually surpass the United States and become the world's largest economy. At present time, not only China's investment trend along the coastal south China area has continued to grow, the multi-level progressive all-round opening up patterns in China's inner mainland, northeast, northwest and southwest regions are also shaping up. Such development has created good investment opportunity for Malaysia's business and industrial sectors to invest in China. In today's global environment, the rise of regional economic groupings has resulted in the restructuring of global economic map.
The political situation in the Middle East and North Africa has remained restive and while the economic slowdown in Europe and in the United States has led to some political instability, yet on the other hand, Asian region's political stability and economic growth has continued to thrive forward. Under such a situation, the further advancement in Malaysia-China relationship is not only very necessary for both the countries but also for the Asian region. The common interest between Malaysia and China is far greater than their differences. Even if Malaysia and China have any dispute, such dispute can totally find a comprehensive solution to resolve through seeking friendly consultation with each other.
10 Years in 21st century
As Malaysia and China look toward the second Ten Years in the 21st century, we trust the frequency of communication and exchanges between Malaysia and China will definitely be intensified in all aspects. We wish every success of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's visit to Malaysia in opening up a new chapter in the promotion of economic cooperation between Malaysia and China and in the promotion of friendly exchanges between the people of both countries.

Malaysia Wants To Establish Good Diplomatic Ties With US

Prime Minister Najib Razak said in Tokyo recently that when the Malaysian Government wanted to establish good diplomatic ties with any country, it did not mean that Malaysia would kowtow or bow to the knee to surrender to that country। He said that in fact Malaysia did not kowtow to any country as Malaysia has its own policies and ideas.

Prime Minister Najib said this in Tokyo when he held meeting with Malaysian students studying in Japan। Najib said that before he visited Japan, has visited the United States. He stressed that when he was in the United States, he did not make Malaysia kowtowing to the United States as some people in Malaysia claimed and accused.

Bilateral Discussion
Prime Minister Najib was invited by US President Barack Obama to participate in the International Nuclear Security Summit। He also held bilateral talk with President Obama as sideline of the Nuclear Security Summit. While in the United States, Prime Minister Najib said he was pleased to meet with leaders in the US business and political circles as well as well known national leaders. Prime Minister Najib stressed that Malaysia was among the nine countries that President Obama has taken time to receive and engage in bilateral discussion. He said that to Malaysia, it was indeed an honor.

Prime Minister Najib stressed that such meeting with US national leader should not be construed and misinterpreted as Malaysia kowtowing to major power। Prime Minister Najib said Malaysia engaged bi-lateral talk with the United States because Malaysia has attained certain achievement and such achievement was respected by the United States.

Prime Minister said this in his speech at the gathering organized by the MARA Education Fund that managed to call upon more than 300 Malaysian students studying in Japan also some Malaysians who worked in Japan to listen to Najib's talk। When addressing the group, Prime Minister Najib said: "I think I did not kowtow to the United States."

Maintaining Hostile Attitude
Prime Minister Najib said perhaps he was different from other national leaders in the country। This was because he has chosen to have closer interaction with the United States.

He said: "To become intimate friend with them (the United States) or to become mutually respected friend is better than we criticizing them as what Malaysia has done in the past।"

In response to query that back in Malaysia he was negatively criticized by political rivals at the Hulu Selangor by-election campaign, Prime Minister Najib stressed that when he returned to Malaysia, he would point out to the fact that the criticism on him was baseless and not based on moral ethic. He said: "This is also the reason why I must work hard. I have gone to the United States, to Saudi Arabia and now I am in Japan. I want to rectify the wrong perception about me that has become widespread rumors."

US Invites Malaysia To Join Trans Pacific Partnership

US Ambassador to Malaysia James Keith (Chinese name Qi Jin Mu) pointed out that there was no further decision for Malaysia and the United States to proceed with another round of Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement. Ambassador James Keith said that at this moment, the United States would focus on seeing the development of a more influential "Pan-Pacific Partnership Agreement" (Trans Pacific Partnership). He also invited Malaysia to join this new Pan Malaysian Partnership Agreement as one of the members.

The US envoy to Malaysia said both the United States and Malaysia have used almost three years to carry out the Malaysia-US FTA negotiations. Nevertheless, since President Obama became the US President, the US Government has reviewed the goal of its global bi-lateral trade ties with other countries and agreed on the formation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership" trade framework.

Ambassador James Keith will leave Malaysia on 15 March to take out new assignment in another country. James Keith will go the Afghan capital Kabul on 15 May to take up the new diplomatic post as the US Deputy Ambassador in Afghanistan.

Trans Pacific Agreement
US Ambassador to Malaysia James Keith said that countries that have already signed the Trans Pacific Agreement have included Singapore, Chile, New Zealand, Brunei, Peru, Australia, Vietnam and the United States. He added that this new trade agreement would not only strengthen the multilateral trade ties within the region the Agreement would also provide employment opportunities to many countries.

He said: "Pan-Pacific Partnership Agreement is a high quality trade agreement. We hope that more countries in the Asia-Pacific region can actively participate in this Agreement in order to open more multilateral trade markets."

Ambassador James Keith described the US bilateral trade relationships in a number of Southeast Asian countries as becoming increasingly complicated. As such it became necessary to develop a more transparent trade framework to boost and enhance regional countries' confidence in dealing with trade issues.

Ambassador James Keith also commented that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was an attractive regional framework. He said that if the United States could establish a trade agreement with ASEAN, both the United States and ASEAN countries should be able to reap many benefits. Such trade agreement between the United States and ASEAN should be better than the US bi-lateral trade ties with Malaysia or the US bi-lateral trade ties with Vietnam.

Ambassador James Keith also mentioned that US Trade Representative will visit Malaysia in the very near future. He hoped that the Malaysian Government could seriously consider such a suggestion mentioned by him.

Reaching Consensus on Many Issues
US Ambassador Qi Jin Mu said that Malaysia and the United States had gradually reached a consensus on many issues. These have included the fight against terrorists, the fight against weapons proliferation, export controls, global trade and topics such as religion and culture.

He said: "In the future, Malaysia and the United States will reach consensus on more issues. Both countries can share mutual benefits and can have many opportunities to get in touch with each other. This is a very positive development. I believe this US-Malaysia relationship will continue to develop even better and bring more benefits to both the nations."

The US Ambassador to Malaysia said that although on certain issues, Malaysia and the United States might hold different views but gradually the two countries will reach a consensus. As such Malaysia and the United States could expand bilateral ties in other related fields.

Ambassador James Keith also pointed out that Prime Minister Najib Razak would pay official visit to the United States to discuss global nuclear security issues. To him this was the best evidence to show that Malaysia and the United States have strengthened bilateral relationship further.

The US envoy added that US President Barack Obama and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak have a vast space to strengthen Malaysia-US bilateral relations in the future because both the Malaysian and US Governments have kept carrying out reform for their respective country.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Ambassador James Keith said that during his years as US Ambassador to Malaysia, he was indeed very glad to see US President Obama and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib have respectively taken pro-active effort to strengthen Malaysia-US bilateral ties.

James Keith said: "Both countries have put in many effort to improve the bilateral ties in many fields. These include strengthening ties in the field of security, bi-lateral trade ties and people to people exchange. I am very happy about such development."

Church Attacks Cause Serious Harm to Malaysia's Racial, Religious Harmony

The verdict by the High Court in allowing Catholic publications to use the word 'Allah' as Malay rendition for 'God' has resulted in massive protests by the Muslims. The High Court decision has also triggered arsons in at least three churches in Kuala Lumpur and in the state of Selangor on last Friday 8 January. When churches in Malaysia suffered violent attacks with thrown petrol bombs causing fire, it became an issue of high concern to all Malaysians.

Harsh Condemnation and Bitter Criticism
The church burning act by malicious elements has serious damaged Malaysia's peaceful atmosphere, resulting in sharp condemnation from all Malaysians across the board. Soon after this disturbing incident happened, Prime Minister Najib Razak used first available opportunity to express his harsh condemnation and bitter criticism on the saboteurs. He also instructed the police to step up security patrols to protect religious sites. On the day that followed the arson incident, Prime Minister Najib also led senior cabinet members to inspect the burned church. Besides expressing his regrets to church leaders, Prime Minister Najib also announced that the Government would provide funding to rebuild the church.
As the country's most senior leader, Prime Minister Najib has not only played a firefighting role, he is also fully aware that the core value of maintaining racial and religious harmony that the nation has tried very hard to build and maintain cannot be destroyed by a handful of religious extremists. The spirit of racial and religious unity and harmony is Malaysia's most prominent feature. It is also the leading driving force for national progress. However, it is regrettable to note that as soon as Prime Minister Najib issued a directive to protect religious sites, we were told additional churches were also damaged by the malicious elements. This shows that the violent mob did not take the country's rules and orders seriously.

Maintaining Social Stability
It is all Malaysians' responsibility to maintain social stability and to live with one another in harmony in this multiethnic, multi-religious nation. We would like to stress that the importance of this responsibility to all citizens again. Since the maintenance of national stability is above all other concerns, it goes without stressing that living in harmony is the basic right of every civic society. If Malaysia losses these virtues, it will be a terrible scene for the nation. As such, our government and our politicians cannot just talk. They must put what they talk into action.
We would also like to point out specifically another important value in Malaysia. This important core value is that all citizens must learn to obey and protect the rule of laws in the country. All citizens must make commitment to support the rule of the laws in Malaysia. It is equally important for the country to ensure that the Federal Constitution that gives Malaysians the freedom of religion and the spirit of just legal system be prevailed and protected amid recent church arson incident. The rule of law can help us to clarify what is right and wrong and set things right for the good of the nation. It will improve the social fabric and national management mechanism. The spirit of having a just legal system can play a significant platform in national building.

Law-Abiding System
In short, what we need is a universal law-abiding system. From government officials down to the civilians, we must use the abiding in law as our bottom line as citizens. If Malaysians go beyond this bottom line, they must face legal punishment. Besides, it is also extremely important for our law enforcement unit to carry out the task entrusted to them fairly and impartially with high efficiency in order to protect the society.
In Malaysia, the Government has never prohibited the public engagement in street protests and demonstrations. As such, Malaysians can still express their dissatisfaction over certain issues through street protests or rallies. However, the pre-requisite condition is that that those who want to stage protests must first obtain police permit. If protesters do not apply for permit to stage protest or that the police do not want to issue police permit to protest, then all the demonstrations the protesters tried to do are but illegal activities that warrant police arrest. If certain protesters openly stir up some sensitive issues through illegal demonstration and carry out illegal rallies, and if the enforcement unit of the police are not willing to take action on them this can amount to posing a threat to the society. The ruling government should know that a single spark could start a prairie fire. Where there are arsons on local churches, the government must take first available action to snub the fire before it burns the whole forest. We want to believe that the professional ethics of the police task force and our army will not allow a handful of black sheep to pose a threat to the nation and destroy our hard earn national foundation.

Resolving Controversial Issues
The use the word 'Allah' as Malay rendition for 'God by other religions is a tricky issue to resolve in the Malaysian context. However, there are legal channels to resolve this problem. The legal approach is what all Malaysians must accept as the only approach we can resolve controversial issues, including the issue of the use of Malay word "Allah". Once the court has come out with a decision on the court case, all parties must strictly abide the court decision to avoid creating unnecessary controversy and suspicion. We must respond to Prime Minister Najib's appeal for all citizens to keep calm and allow the court to decide on the "Allah" court case. This should be the legal model for Malaysia to resolve social issues.
Under the present security situation in Malaysia, the Government and the police must step up action to arrest the culprits that set churches on fire. It is important for the Government and the enforcement unit to safeguard social security and personal safety resolutely. We must curb the evil and violent force among our midst. We must restore peace and harmony in the society and reassure the people that the Government and the police are doing their best to allow all Malaysians to live in harmony under social stability environment. Our Government should never compromise this basic national building creed.