MUCH TO LEARN FROM JAPANESE ON BOARD 'FUJI MARU'

By Muammar Kamarudin

ON BOARD THE M.V. FUJI MARU, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysian participants in
The Ship for 36th Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) found that they could
learn a lot from the Japanese, especially in what it takes to be a developed
nation.

The SSEAYP is a 53-day youth exchange programme which began on Oct 28, this
year in Tokyo.

Participated by 319 selected youths from the 10 Asean member-countries and
Japan, its aim is to promote friendship and mutual understanding among
participants.

As part of the programme, the youths participated in homestay programmes and
other activities in 11 prefectures or cities and had an audience with Prince
and Princess Akishino while in Japan.

The youths left Japan on Nov 6 for Manila on board of a cruise ship, 'Fuji
Maru', and Nov 19 morning, it berthed at West Port, Port Klang, Malaysia. On
Monday, it will sail to its next stop, Singapore.

Their arrival here was welcomed by Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Razali
Ibrahim and the Japanese Embassy's Japan Information Service director
Yumiko Fujiwara.

One of the participants, Suhail Mohamed Kamaruddin, 24, told reporters that
through the programme, he and fellow Malaysians found the Japanese to be
particular, meticulous and analytical.

He said, by being meticulous and analytical, the Japanese Government
managed to organise this programme which started way back in 1974, participated
by the Japanese youths and those from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand.

Furthermore, said the programme assistant of the International Youth Centre
in Malaysia, the Japanese education culture encouraged their people not only to
be a receiver but an inventor and creator, as well

Mohsinar Malek, 38, the country leader for the programme, said that was why
former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad launched the Look East
Policy so that Malaysians could understand the Japanese's work culture.

The officer with the youth and sports ministry said, Japanese youths who
were in the programme, would jot down notes on what they saw and experienced,
including cultural dances performed by the Malaysian youths.

Despite the good things about the Japanese, the Malaysian participants on
board the M. V. Fuji Maru were proud to be Malaysians.

The youths are scheduled for an interaction programme with those from Putra
University, Malaysia (UPM), International Islamic University Malaysia and
University of Science, Malaysia at UPM campus Nov 20, before joining the
homestay programme with Malaysian families.

-- BERNAMA