PM Transcripts

FOR PUESS: O Q
C 3 1 AUG 1967
LI B R P PIA. NO. 84/ 1967
TENTH ANNIVE~ RSARY OF MALAYSIAN INDEPENDENCE.
The Prime Minister, 1vir. H~ olt, today ( 31st August)
sent a message of congratulations to the Prime MIinister of
Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, on the tenth anniversary of
M~ alaysian independence. Mr. H-olt also recorded the message
on tape for broadcasting over Radio L.-alaysia.
Here is the text of the Prime ! h-inister's message:-
" It gives me great pleasure on this your tenth
anniversary of Independence, to convey congratulations
and good wishes from the Australian Government to the
Government and people of Malaysia.
Malaysia's achievements in the decade since August,
1957, have been a source of admiration for the world
at large, and especially for those of us who live in
the region of South E~ ast Asia. The Australian
Government has particularly a'imired the political
tolerance which marks the 1alaysian scene, and the
way in which democratic institutions have taken root
and developed.
There were those in 1957 who feared that on Independence
Malaya would face a period of political instability with
intense rivalry and conflict between the various
communities which went to make up the Federation's
population. The record, however, has proved otherwise.
The unfolding story has been one of internal peace and
communal harmony.
Over this ten year period you have also been able to
withstand the challenges of internal communist insurrection
and external pressures. This has required strong
government and the development of Malaysia's own
machinery for internal security and defence. Your
present stability is an eloquent testimony to the
energy and skill you have devoted to these tasks.
In the economic field the years of independence have
witnessed the greatest progress in your country's history.
A scientific approach to rubber planting and tin
prospecting has ensured increasing returns from these
mainstays of the Mlalaysian economy. Industrialisation
schemes have been proceeding, and significant strides
have been made in agricultural diversification. Your
land settlement scheme is widely regarded as a model
for other developing countries.
I am sure that the progress made in these last ten years
has instilled confidence and enthusiasm for tackling the
problems which lie ahead. IMalaysians and other peoples
in South -'' 0ast Asia, and that includes Australians, live
in an exciting era. Despite the conflict in Viet Nam
and the continuing pressures and tensions to be found
within the area, my colleagues and I believe that a new
Asia is emerging, in which we can all find hope for a
brighter future. f': y own feeling is that the next century
will be the century of Asia. There is, at the very least,
the encouraging prospect of spectacular advance. In this
our two countries will have a significant part ' to play.
May you continue to prosper in the years ahead, in peace
an% hapiness." 1
CANB3ER-2A9 31 ; t Augus t, 1967