Speech by H.E. Dato’ S. Thanarajasingam

Ambassador of Malaysia to France

Family Day

Saturday, 6 June 2009

Kapt. Khairuddin Mohd. Arif

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Hari Keluarga dan Atase Pertahanan

YBhg. Datin Dr. Saradha Iyer

Presiden Perwakilan Paris

En. Tye Soon Kwai

Presiden Persatuan Malaysia-Perancis

Ketua-Ketua Agensi

Tuan-tuan dan Puan-puan

Selamat tengahari dan salam sejahtera

1.            Pertama sekali, saya ingin mengucapkan selamat datang kepada semua ke Majlis Hari Keluarga anjuran Kedutaan Besar Malaysia di Paris, Perwakilan Paris dan Persatuan Malaysia-Perancis.

2.            Saya berharap anda semua dalam keadaan sihat sejahtera serta sedia menikmati jamuan dan aktiviti-aktiviti yang akan dijalankan selepas ini.

3.            Seperti yang anda sedia maklum, Hari Keluarga ini diadakan bersempena Hari Keputeraan Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Oleh yang demikian, saya amat berbesar hati dan gembira anda semua berada di sini bagi meraikan hari yang istimewa ini.

4.            Ingin saya mengambil kesempatan juga untuk mengucapkan terima kasih kepada kakitangan Kedutaan Besar, ahli-ahli MAF dan Perwakilan serta semua yang menghulurkan bantuan dan kerjasama menjayakan Majlis kita pada hari ini.

5.            Kini, kita telahpun berada pada pertengahan tahun 2009, dan beberapa peristiwa penting telahpun berlaku di Malaysia. Yang paling bersejarah adalah pelantikan Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang ke-enam, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Abdul Razak pada bulan April lepas.

6.            ‘Satu Malaysia, Rakyat didahulukan, Prestasi diutamakan‘ adalah moto YAB Perdana Menteri kita. Ia mencerminkan visi dan keinginan beliau supaya rakyat Malaysia terus bersatu tanpa menghirau perbezaan perkauman, kepercayaan dan kebudayaan, serta dapat hidup bersama dalam harmoni dan kesejahteraan. Sesungguhnya, kepelbagaian yang Malaysia miliki, dari segi kaum, kepercayaan dan kebudayaan merupakan kekuatan dan kelebihan Malaysia, yang tidak dimiliki oleh kebanyakan negara-negara lain. Oleh yang demikian, saya amat gembira bahawa perjumpaan ini telah membuktikan bahawa rakyat Malaysia dapat bergaul antara satu sama lain, memegang dan melandaskan prinsip dan nilai saling hormat-menghormati, toleransi, memahami dan menerima antara satu sama lain.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

7.            As expected, the year 2009 has been marked by a prolonged global economic crisis. Malaysia has not been spared, and has been affected with declines in trade and investment. Latest figures show that the Malaysian economy had contracted 6.2% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the previous quarter. Malaysia’s economy is now expected to shrink in the range of 4 to 5% this year.

8.            Nonetheless, the Government under the leadership of YAB Prime Minister has announced several important measures to mitigate the effects of the global economic crisis to ensure that Malaysia would be well placed to recover soundly and sustainably. The Government has set aside RM60 billion for the second economic stimulus package aimed at reducing unemployment, easing the burden of the rakyat, assisting the private sector as well as capacity building. Furthermore, measures to liberalise the services sector and the financial sector as well as the modernisation of the public services had been announced and will be implemented soon.

9.            The poor global economic situation has been aggravated by the outbreak of the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, which has affected more than 66 countries across the globe. Malaysia has reported 2 cases so far. The pandemic will definitely affect travel, the airlines and tourism industry. Here in Paris, apart from the Embassy, I can assure you that Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines are redoubling their efforts to promote the travel and tourism trade to Malaysia. I hope that none of us would be infected by the virus and urge all of you to follow the guidelines of the French authorities if you think you are suffering from flu symptoms.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

10.         In the coming months, there will be a number of visits from Malaysia this year. There will be two Ministerial visits during the Paris Air Show beginning June 15. Later in the month, YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd. Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education is expected here as well.

11.         Lastly, I would like to commend all of you for being a role model for Malaysians. I would like to encourage all of us to continue to be good citizens of integrity, industry and promoting friendship among our people as well as with the French. For our students studying in France, keep up the good work, continue to be serious in your studies as all of you are the future of Malaysia.