‘Malaysia Most Stable In South-East Asia'

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30447, 22 May 1964, Page 7

‘Malaysia Most Stable In South-East Asia'

Malaysia was the most' dynamic, progressive and stable country in South-east Asia, Dr. M. M. Burns, principal of Lincoln College, said at the New Zealand Quantity Surveyors’ Institute Conference. Malaysia’s political strength derived from Tunku Abdul Rahman, its Prime Minister, the Alliance Party, a multiracial organisation—and Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s First Minister, he said.

Lee was probably the most able man in South-east Asia, said Dr. Burns.

Tun Razak, the Tunku’s deputy, was another name to watch as he was the shrewd, supreme business manager of the country.

Malaysia’s stability was the result of an inheritance from British colonialism and Tun. Razak’s management, Dr. Burns thought. The country’s stability and its postiion as the centre of a vast political market had resulted in a tremendous burtt of industrial development.

Confrontation on Indonesia’s part was unlikely to lead to

a shooting war except if something “damn silly” happened. Sukarno was practising “Brinkmanship,” he said. The Flux However, the Malaysia, confrontation was having the beneficial effect of uniting the country as a whole far faster than the normal processes in time would have taken. “It is the flux welding the Malaysian nation,” he said. New Zealand's relations with Malaysia were excellent and Maoris had added considerably to this, Dr. Burns said. However, New Zealand, in its trading in Malaysia, did not approach the matter with the same vigour it played Rugby. In Malaysian business there was no room for sentiment, he thought. Australia with its regular shipments and continuous trades missions was a tough and vigorous business competitor. “The Australians though tough in business are good. New Zealand trade in the area had nothing to fear except its Australian neighbour,” said Dr. Burns.