Play More Active Role In Asean, Dr Mahathir Urges Myanmar

From Amer Hamzah Md Sap YANGON (Myanmar), Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Myanmar should play a more active role in Asean to enable it to tackle problems arising from globalisation, said Malaysia's former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed. He said Asean member countries would achieve more by talking about its interests with one voice. "Together, we can grow in the region," he said when delivering a business talk about Malaysia's experience in globalisation and liberalisation here on Wednesday. The talk was organised by the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) in collaboration with the Union of the Republic of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI). He said globalisation was mooted with the idea, among others, of facilitating easy access of capital and technology into another country, but the question was whether it would benefit the receiving countries. "(For example) it is good if the capital inflow creates income for the (receiving) country but it is not if it only flows into the stock market because the share prices would go up but the value has nothing to do with the company's performance," he said. While globalisation means bigger markets for our country's products, it also has a negative impact, he said, adding this does not mean globalisation, put forward by Western countries, should be rejected, but it should be re-examined, Earlier, he witnessed the signing of four memorandums of understanding (MoU)at the same event. The first MoU was signed by Myanmar Corobiz Travel and Tours Co Ltd chairman Aung Soe Har with Felda Travel and Tours chief executive officer (CEO) S. Andrew Francis to enable both parties to collaborate in Myanmar's travel and tour business. The second MoU was signed by Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd CEO Zakaria Arshad with Golden Land East Asia Development Ltd managing director Nyein Aung to enable both sides to collaborate in the distribution of packed cooking oil under the "Saji" brand in Myanmar. Zakaria also signed an MoU on his company's behalf with Grand Wynn Enterprise chairman Hla Wynn to collaborate in the distribution of fast-moving consumer goods in Myanmar. The last MoU was signed by Felda Vegetables Oil Products Sdn Bhd CEO Wan Mohamad Zain Wan Ismail with Htoo group of companies managing director Kyaw Thi Ha for collaboration in rubbber and palm oil processing and for travel and tours in Myanmar. Dr Mahathir also toured the exhibition mounted by Felda, MPOC and UMFCCI. He was accompanied by his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Felda chairman Mohd Isa Samad, MPOC CEO Dr Yusof Basiron and UMFCCI president U Win Aung. -- BERNAMA