NOVEMBER 2 ― The week-long visit by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles Philip Arthur George and Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall reflects the long running and deeply meaningful ties that have been enjoyed by both countries that lasted way before independence.
The highly anticipated and long-welcomed visit certainly mirrors the injection of a new mutual commitment and efforts at all levels to further cement the solid foundation of ties that both sides have been enjoying.
Efforts to solidify all efforts to oil the path in charting the new frontier and elevate the current state of good and warm relations to a higher level, seen through the numerous reciprocal visits by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to the UK stemming from growing bilateral ties and importance in various areas, especially so this year in marking 60th anniversary in bilateral relations.
It has certainly has thrived over the past decade with growing awareness on the ever vital significance of the ties that encompasses a comprehensive range of mutual, regional and global importance.
The long-standing relationship with one of the world’s major players encompasses all aspects of economy, commerce, trade, defence, security, education, science and technology, culture, tourism and others is undeniable and the far-reaching connection and influence that it has on every level of our society as well as our well-being will always be deep embedded, as seen through the previous visits by the Royal British Monarch in Queen Elizabeth in 1998 and in the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2012, on top of the strong commitment shown by the top leadership of both countries with reciprocal visits by both Prime Ministers and the official delegations.
The strong economic, technological, educational and cultural cooperation and mutual collaboration and that have been integrated and supplemented in the growth pattern and direction of the nation by continuing to explore new areas of mutually beneficial and enriching platforms that will be able to inject new growth dynamism economically and in turn uplifting the comprehensive development of the society.
The UK being such a crucial partner to us in continuing to churn up robust economic growth and stability through growing trade ties and the increasing importance in enhancing higher education through student mobility as well as in providing quality higher learning opportunities for our students prove to be booster in ensuring continuous magnification of commitment and focus to strengthen existing ties.
Malaysia plays a crucial role in raising the prospects and opening up a new frontier in redirecting the global focus on this continent as the driver and propeller of the future growth engine that will be helmed by our dynamic and vibrant workforce with an ever rising knowledgeable middle class with a huge source of untapped natural resources and superior market potential and a solid foundation in economic fundamentals and structure that have been further solidified and strengthened by the lessons learned by financial crises in the decades.
As the vital link in trade and economic partnership and the hub for economic integration and access to the huge potential in the Asean market, Malaysia remains the solid platform for UK as the important trade partner in this part of the world and the same can be said for Malaysia in the European region.
With the looing completion of Brexit, we remain as substantial as ever for the UK to chart new growth and to strengthen its economic strength, resilience and diversification and Asia proves to be the growing significant prospect in galvanising growth, creating valued-added, digitalised and knowledge-based economy that can spur and revitalise the British economy.
While it is proven beyond doubt that our future growth chart and direction and the dynamic force of our nation-building that hinges on the focus on innovation, creativity, building of vibrant and versatile human capital on the back of the economy driven by knowledge and skills based foundation will be very much relying on the advancement of the UK in these fields, there is a fundamental need and realisation that the other areas of utmost importance to our national interest and survival lie not only in the areas of education, economy and cultural ties that have been greatly substantial mutually but also the greater focus on regional and international security landscape that has long evolved and proved to be ever challenging with high stakes involved.
The turn of the new century brought about a seismic shift in the global security arena with a whole new horizon of changing aspects of threats and security challenges that are non-traditional in nature and it is in this context that a close global cooperation and sharing of expertise and know-how in related fields will go a long way in ensuring a stable and manageable regional and global security amidst the various forms of growing threats and instability that we are facing.
This vital link of a comprehensive cooperation and collaboration with the UK in defence and security fields especially in the sharing of intelligence, technical and military expertise and know-how and close cooperation in extending and elevating the bulwark of a safety net in thwarting global terrorism and the threats posed by rogue non-state actors will undeniably further catapult the confidence and strength in each other in providing the first line of defence and deterrence towards these growing threats that will cause regional and global instability.
With ever continuing security threats and challenges coming in various forms and sources in an ever inter-connected and inter-linked global communities with the UK suffering from recent terror attacks and with stakes involved, there is no better time than now to seize the opening to work together in providing mutually beneficial spin-offs both in the short and long term prospects for both countries as both are increasingly getting more dependent on one another in related fields and expertise.
This will not only leave a positive and fruitful path in the bilateral relations but will also leave a trail of confidence and a further intensification of efforts to see through the global push for peace and moderation that have been championed by our Prime Minister and this is where this platform and premise and can be further expanded, which has been discussed though the visit.
With growing tension over North Korea and the potential catastrophic ripples and instability that it will create as well as the unresolved Rohingya crisis in Myanmar that seem to meet a dead end and impasse, the stakes are high in the region for the continuous push for a careful and delicate strategy in striving for regional stability and security that is now mired with both state and non-state threats.
Actions and steps taken to address these crises are not to be directed from a single source or a superpower alone and that it requires the right support, understanding, input and actions by all regional actors and players that are directly and indirectly involved that will pave the way for a structured and an all-encompassing solution needed for the reduction of risks of a full blown humanitarian catastrophe that will be caused by the mismanagement of these two growing crises.
This is reflected in the importance of getting the support of the UK in providing the assurance, extending the hand of friendship and in elevating the level of confidence will be a huge booster in not only providing the much needed tool of support and assistance in helping the actors in the region to counter the different and evolving threats as well as the traditional threats that are always looming in the background.
Malaysia is poised to be the leader in taking the helm of providing the necessary leadership and assistance to regional peace and security as can be seen in its various policies and the recent initiative taken in the Rohingya crisis and this is where the good and strong relations with the UK, being a permanent party and veto holder in the Security Council can be further solidified to benefit various parties that will be conducive to promoting common peace, stability and security.
We have been at the forefront in extending a helping hand to mediate and to lend our support in providing a peaceful solution to regional conflicts and it is a proven track record that is to be proud of and this is where our experience and skills can be further catapulted and enhanced in a broader agenda by setting a fine example in continuing to push for a moderate and peaceful solution to conflicts that will reflect our stand and legacy for the past decades since independence which is to promote understanding and peace and to generate friendly relations to all states with the broader aspiration of playing a bigger role in international affairs by offering our support, assistance and expertise in the relevant fields.
These gigantic economic potential and the prospect of the region being the next driver of global political and economic arenas will surely invite greater scrutiny and interests from all and this is where our roles will be further cemented and be of greater significance as a rising middle power with extensive clout and influence in the region with a consistent principle of moderation, peace and goodwill and that will be the plus point in the traction of continuing to enhance closer ties between the region and the UK and to serve as the bridge and voice of moderation in bringing about a peaceful solution to conflicts and at the same time preserving regional peace in avoiding a regional fall-out between the big powers.
The time is now to portray our rich and exceptional legacy and shining example of a moderate and tolerant nation with the celebration of diversity among the multi-racial and multi-cultural fabric of the society which can be used as a tool of positive example for all to emulate and to extend the reach of our core foundation and standing of peace and moderation to the global arena, starting with the forging of closer and enhanced ties with our old friends in the British that dates back centuries and to leverage on their support to continue to push for voices of tolerance, harmony, peaceful co-existence and the spirit of humanity and compassion that will go a long way in laying the path towards achieving a better prospect of regional and global peace and in setting the solid foundation for a future of hope and inspiration.
We welcome you wholeheartedly, Your Royal Highness Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to Malaysia, a land of unity in diversity and a true gem of the East.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
