"Change With The Times Or You Won't Even Be Able To Keep What You Already Have," US Envoy Advises M'sia

Malaysia has to make “tough political decisions” to undertake changes amid rising regional and global competition, said the United States’ Ambassador to Malaysia, James Keith.

Commenting on the US- Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks, he said the FTA was not about the US trying to change practices in Malaysia, but it was looking for a trade partner that wanted to do business with it.

“If it turns out in the long run that it isn’t Malaysia’s time, then no hard feelings, we’ll try somewhere else,” he said in a public lecture conducted at Universiti Sains Malaysia yesterday.

“The world is changing and anyone who just wants to preserve what one has is facing a dilemma because if one doesn’t change with the times, then in time, one won’t even be able to keep what one already has,” he said.

“That’s the problem with Malaysia. These are tough political decisions and they won’t get any easier, as the neighbourhood is getting more competitive. That’s the hard reality, and Malaysia has to face it.

“The option is not to stop the world from changing, it’ll keep going whether Malaysia does or not,” he added.

Keith also said the US had invested US$675 million (RM2.2 billion) in Malaysia in 2006 and about US$337 million for the first half of 2007.

“There are over 150 US-based firms who have set up shop in Malaysia; out of which 18 firms are involved in the semiconductor and electronics industry,” he said. “This translates into 54,000 jobs in Malaysia, and about US$4 billion worth of commodities and raw materials are tied up in that industry,” he said, adding that about 75% of Malaysian exports were tied up in the US electronics industry. This is a good sign of how much more can be done in terms of diversification and movement up the value chain,” Keith added.

The ambassador also said the US was keen to work with Malaysia to revitalise the Doha Development Round in efforts to lower trade barriers and permit free trade between countries of varying prosperities.

Keith said it needed Malaysia’s help to revitalise the Doha Round talks, which collapsed last year due to the inability to resolve agriculture industry issues between developed and developing nations.

“We are more than willing to tackle some of the tough issues including agriculture subsidies in the US,” he said.

“Despite it being difficult issues to work out, we are prepared to talk,” he said, adding that it appreciated all the work that was done by Malaysian officials and ministers during previous talks.

He also said the US would continue to seek cooperation with local law enforcement agencies in efforts to combat terrorism and maintain security in the region (The Edge Daily)

***** Frankly, such advice no matter how sincere or true will have no effect on the umnoputeras. They will continue blindly on the present track as long it keeps them in power. "When the country reaches bankruptcy, then we'll see what to do," is probably their line of thinking.

I don't think that they are concerned much about what happens to the average Malaysian as a result of their obstinacy and hunger for power.
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