Malaysia, Japan Urged To Boost Ties Via Friendship Bodies

BANGI (Selangor, Malaysia), March 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Japan should strengthen relationships and cooperation through friendship associations as they serve as agents of change to carry out development within the region. President of Alumni of Friendship Programme for the 21st Century (PAMAJA), Iskandar Noor Ibrahim, said both nations should look into deepening their friendship as a main platform to strive higher in their aspirations and for the well-being of the region. "Nothing can be achieved if the region is not stable and not peaceful," he said in his opening speech at the Asean-Japan Friendship Association for the 21st Century's executive council meeting here Friday. Deputy Finance Minister I, Datuk Wira Othman Aziz, officiated the two-day meeting. Speaking to reporters later, Iskandar said, PAMAJA aimed to boost student exchange programmes between both nations for technology transfer in industrial sector and human capital development. "Some 150 students are involved in the exchange programme annually organised by the friendship association. At the country level, it is organised by Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam and Japan International Corp Agency," he said. The Friendship Programme for the 21st Century was envisaged by former Japanese Prime Minister, Yasuhiro Nakasone, in May 1983. Since its inception in 1987, PAMAJA has been actively building linkages with its members. In the last 30 years, 4,655 Malaysians had participated in the programme. -- BERNAMA