Dynamic and Durable Partnership
Following is a message contributed by Dato'M. Santhananaban, ambassador of Malaysia on the occasion of its anniversary of Independence Day (Aug. 31) - Ed.

It gives great pleasure to provide this message to your esteemed readers on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of Malaysia's independence. At the outset, allow me to extend my warmest greetings to your readers and to the Korean people. The awe-inspiring role of the Korean people in building a dynamic and formidable nation is well known and appreciated in Malaysia and it is for this reason that the Malaysian Government has had a "Look East Policy"since 1982.
Since 1957 when we obtained independence, Malaysia, under a parliamentary system of government, a constitutional monarchy and a coalition government that incorporates the various ethnic and regional entities, has succeeded in evolving into a superbly successful, peaceful and relatively prosperous nation-state. A strong sense of national identity, unity of purpose and the pursuit of peace, progress, and prosperity binds the people of Malaysia into a robust and diverse nation of 25 million people.
Since 1967 when the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded, Malaysia has been able to nurture, sustain and enhance friendly, cooperative and substantial relations with all our neighbors. This regional environment of peace characterized by mutual trust and confidence has enabled Malaysia to fully focus on internal development.
On an average Malaysia has succeeded in achieving growth in excess of 5 percent per annum since 1957. The unique characteristic of Malaysia's growth has been that such growth has been achieved with equity. In 2004 economic growth of 7.1 percent was achieved while for this year growth in the region of 5 to 6 percent is expected.
The Asian Financial crisis of 1997/98 set Malaysia behind somewhat but the objective of vision 2020 to achieve developed status by that year remains unaffected. It has been a positive factor in galvanizing the whole population to work toward a certain goal.
Malaysia-Republic of Korea relations continue to grow through greater interaction in trade, investment, government, tourism, conference, industrial, social, cultural and sport activities. The airline linkages have helped to foster activity not only between Kuala Lumpur and Seoul but also Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Busan. With bilateral trade almost breaching the US$10 billion mark, there is greater awareness of the potential for a dynamic and durable partnership between Malaysia and the Republic of Korea. There are encouraging signs that tourism is becoming more important in the two countries'relations. This year nearly 200,000 people would be involved in traveling between points in the two countries. Opinion leaders in both countries, including parliamentarians and press and media persons are contributing in a significant manner towards creating cordial bilateral linkages.
On a region-to-region level Malaysia as a part of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea, as a part of the Northeast-Asian geographical region, have become important players in the East Asia Summit process. The first East Asia Summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur in December 2005 will see the fruition of a process begun some fifteen years earlier. Former President H.E. Kim Dae-jung and H.E. President Roh Moo-hyun have played a pivotal role in bringing about the realization of the East Asia Summit.
The realization of the East Asia Summit process will represent a paradigm shift in the mutual awareness of the people of the potential for wider cooperation in East Asia. It will see the dismantling of many walls that owe their existence to several negative elements of past history.
I trust that the mutual confidence and conviviality that exists between Malaysia and the Republic of Korea has played a leading and supportive role in bringing the peoples of Southeast and East Asia closer together.
I am highly optimistic about the future of Malaysia-Republic of Korea relations. nw

Dato'M. Santhananaban, ambassador of Malaysia