Dialog 40th Anniversary -Look East Policy (LEP)
Look East Policy (LEP) was first unveiled in 1982 by Tun Dr. Mahathir
Mohamad, making it forty years old in 2022. During the past four decades,
the LEP has played a significant role in the development of relations
between Japan and Malaysia, with the development of bilateral relations,
particularly economic cooperation, gaining momentum. Malaysia has sent
students to Japanese universities and institutes of technology, as well as
trainees to Japanese enterprises and training institutes, to further their
education and training.
Both the governments of Malaysia and Japan have contributed to these
projects, with the latter sending Japanese teachers to Malaysia as part of
its funding. The government of Malaysia estimates that roughly 15,000
Malaysians (approximately 14,000 according to a Japanese source) have
travelled to Japan over a thirty-year period, either to enroll in specialised
courses of higher education or to acquire industry and business training.
Aside from that, the Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT),
which was created in Malaysia in 2011, provides Malaysian students with
the opportunity to study about Japanese technology from Japanese
experts. The relationship between Japan and Malaysia has a long and
illustrious tradition.
They state that “ … bilateral relations between Japan and Malaysia can
be classified as ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’ in times of happiness
and hardship …
“ …. Malaysia identified what we believed to be the factors that contributed
to Japan’s success. They are patriotism, discipline, good work ethics, a
competent management system, and close cooperation between the
government and the private sector. And so, we tried to adopt these
practices and instill these cultures in our people. And everyone now
acknowledges that Malaysia has made better progress than most other
developing countries. The fastest pace of Malaysia’s progress and
development took place in the last two decades coinciding with Malaysia’s
LEP.”
The former Prime Minister, Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak, proposed
the addition of a new and upgraded component to the LEP 2.0 plan in
order to maintain positive Japan-Malaysia relations.
The Alumni of Friendship Programme for the 21st Century ASEAN-Japan
Malaysia (PAMAJA), is one of the associations associated with Japan and
a part of ASEAN-Japan Friendship Association for the 21st Century
(AJAFA-21) member.
Over the past 4 decades PAMAJA has conducted many programmes
towards strengthening Malaysia-Japan cooperation and friendship.
Among them are Youth Friendship Program (YFP), Japanese Culture Day,
Japanese Culture Day Seminar, visit Japan, receiving visits from
Japanese friends to Malaysia and hosting Japanese youth exchange
programmes to Malaysia.
PAMAJA organized this Majlis Dialog 40th Anniversary Look East Policy
to hear some ideas, as well as to gather as much input, knowledge, and
feedback as possible about the remarkable historical milestone of
Malaysia and Japan’s 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy (LEP). On
behalf of PAMAJA, I would like to express our gratitude to Perbadanan
Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia for assisting us in putting together this
significant event in this stunning location, as well as to all panellists, media,
and guests who attended today’s event.
PAMAJA, as one of the alumni of LEP’s programme is dedicated to plan
and implement a number of events related to the LEP40. Among the
forthcoming events are a booth exhibition, a webinar, a symposium, Visit
Malaysia and Visit Japan, as well as other tourism and cultural exchange
activities in collaboration with Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, JICA
Malaysia, MOTAC, Tourism Malaysia, Homestay Malaysia Association,
Japan National Tourism Organization, Japan Travel Bureau, The Japan
Foundation, Japanese companies and communities, and other related
agencies.
PAMAJA is keen to raise public awareness of “Keluarga Malaysia” about
the implementation and successful outcomes of the Malaysia-Japan
partnership network. It is consistent with PAMAJA’s objective of instilling
better human values and instilling a sense of patriotism through various
activities, as well as assisting related agencies, youth and social
organizations locally and abroad through related activities that contribute
to the country’s development. These goals are consistent with the Look
East Policy. The 40th Anniversary of the Look East Policy should be
celebrated in a significant way, and this policy, as well as the partnership
between Malaysia and Japan should continue indefinitely.