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STATEMENT BY 
YAB DATO’ SERI DR. MAHATHIR MOHAMAD 
PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MALAYSIAN MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS

NEW YORK, 28 SEPTEMBER 1995

 

 

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

            I am honoured to officiate at the opening of the Malaysian Building which houses the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations, the Consulate General of Malaysia, Malaysian Industrial and Development Authority and MATRADE in New York on this auspicious occasion.

2.         At the outset, may I take this opportunity to sincerely express my appreciation to all the parties involved in making this project possible. My sincere thanks go to ASIE Sdn. Bhd. the main contractor and its entire team including E.W. Howell, the relevant Ministries and Departments in Malaysia and the relevant local authorities in New York particularly the Mayor’s Office of New York City. Without your cooperation and untiring efforts, the successful completion of this project would not have been possible.

3.         This project, which was implemented through the normal turnkey method, was first envisaged in 1991 under the Sixth Malaysian Plan covering a period of five years from 1991 to 1995. After laborious planning, the project eventually took off the ground with the purchase of the building in 1993. It was subsequently followed by the second phase to upgrade the building in January last year and finally completed last December. In realizing this project, the Government of Malaysia spent about 17.3 million dollars.

4.         Under the Sixth Malaysian Plan, the Government of Malaysia has implemented a number of Chancery projects overseas. Our Chancery complexes in Tokyo and Jakarta were completed in 1992. A new Chancery complect is currently being constructed in Bangkok to be followed by Washington D.C. Others in the pipeline are Beijing, Bandar Seri Begawan, Ottawa, Port Moreseby, Islamabad, Kuwait City and a few others in other parts of the globe. The project in New York is one of the biggest in terms of physical size covering a floor area of more than 60,000 square feet.

5.         The construction of our Embassy Complexes overseas is undertaken through the policy of Malaysia Incorporated. Under this policy, both the Government and the private sector work hand in hand towards achieving a common objective. The involvement of private companies from Malaysia in our Chancery projects abroad is in line with this policy.

6.         Our decision to have our own building in New York clearly underscores the importance attached towards bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, including to the work of the United Nations, notwithstanding its limitations. Consistent with our foreign policy, Malaysia will continue to play an active role at the United Nations in the pursuit of equity, democracy among states, and a just and better world.

7.         On the bilateral front, Malaysia will continue to promote its ties with the United States and the American business community. Enhanced ties in areas such as trade, investment, science and technology will contribute towards mutually beneficial relationship.

8.         This building blends with the environment around this neighbourhood. In a small way, the canopy at the main entrance attempts to capture the tradition of our architectural culture. I do hope that this Malaysian building will further enrich the cultural heritage of New York, being a cosmopolitan and universal city. It is also my earnest hope that this building will serve the promote Malaysia to the local and international community in the state of New York and the United States.

9.         I, hereby declare that the Malaysian Building in New York officially open.