KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) — The Look East Policy (LEP) will remain relevant as long as the specific focus on the policy is kept updated in light of the changes in the global and social circumstances, said Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Katsuhiko Takahashi.
Takahashi said the policy, which marked its 40th anniversary this year, would provide new momentum and could be further enhanced to underpin the Malaysia-Japan bilateral relationship that contributes to more progressive development of both nations.
“In order for the LEP to remain significant, I wish few aspects could be considered in order to update the policy. First, is to give a greater focus on the recovery from COVID-19.
“Malaysia is in transition into the endemic phase and economic revival remains a key concern. Japan may be able to work with Malaysia in the new technology areas, such as digital and green. These technologies are needed to tackle global challenges, such as environment and climate change, and they will bring about greater business opportunities.”
Takahashi briefed this in his opening remarks at Malaysia’s Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia Webinar Forum titled “The 40th Anniversary of the Look East Policy: A Conversation with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad” held here, today.
Also present at the forum were ISIS Malaysia Chief Executive Herizal Hazri and Economic Geography Studies Group Institute of Development Economics (IDE-JETRO) Director, Satoru Kumagai.
Furthermore, the ambassador pointed out that Japan could learn a lot more from Malaysia about managing its diversity, which is rapidly becoming a core social issue in Japan.
“It is encouraged to learn that Malaysia as a moderate Muslim country, with multiple ethnic groups coexisting side by side, manages to achieve economic development and social stability to a large extent.
“I also wish to see more Japanese people coming to further their studies in Malaysia and gain greater exposure to the Malaysian culture. I believe that this will expand the significance of the LEP and its benefit will be sustained much longer,” he said.
Among other areas that both nations could deepen the discussion and unleash the greater potential of cooperation, is the mutual challenges that Malaysia is currently facing in which Japan has some advantages such as disaster risk reduction, water resources management, and aging society.
Meanwhile, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who conceived the LEP, in his remarks said a more comprehensive approach towards education under the LEP was needed to elevate the current Malaysia-Japan relations.
As the sector is deemed as the heart of the policy where Malaysia could learn and emulate the Japanese work ethics, Dr Mahathir said it was imperative to highlight the Japanese values through the education medium.
“With the help of the Japanese government, we initiated programmes to send students and government officials to Japan for further studies and training.
“When I left office in 2003, there were more than 10,000 Malaysians sent to Japan under the LEP programme. To date, the number has grown to over 26,000 Malaysians.
“I am proud that this concept has been a success. Many Malaysians sent to Japan have done tremendously well upon returning home. Yet the number of Malaysians sent to Japan today is a far cry from what it used to be. I believe we can and should do better.
“Therefore, I hope there would be a more comprehensive approach towards education under the Look East Policy and Malaysia-Japan relations as a whole. We should look at the Japanese education system starting at the pre-school level to university,” said Dr Mahathir.
The launching of LEP, a brainchild of Dr Mahathir marked a monumental shift in Malaysia’s economic, development and foreign policy.
Japan embraced the LEP, and it eventually became the de facto symbol of Malaysia-Japan relations.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency