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Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad conveying his hopes to US ambassador to Malaysia B. Lynn Pascoe yesterday. 6.4.2001.

The Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad has strong views on the United States of America. Here, we see the fluctuations of Malaysia-US relations.

On 3 April, 2001, Dr Mahathir presented the Third Outline Perspective Plan. I ciriticized his confrontational attitude towards the US, hoping that he would adopt a non-confrontational attitude towards USA, China, India and the European Union. He visits Japan frequently.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister told the US ambassador who called on him in Parliament:"We feel we could probably improve our relationship with the new administration and do away with whatever differences we have had.

"At the same time, I also told him that we are an independent nation. When we feel we have to voice our dissatisfaction, we will continue to do so," he added.

Indeed, we should criticize any nation that has done wrong. The difference is in the choice of language.

USA has its history and national conditions. It has the world's biggest economy. But, like other countries, it has good and bad things. Its record on human rights and the appointment of its new president by the Federal Court are unacceptable. However, let us adopt a non-confrontational attitude towards the US.

PM'S REGRET

Dr Mahathir expresses his regret over the incident in which there is a standoff between China and the US after the detention of an American spy plane in southern China. He rightly says that in the first place, no country likes to be spied on although this could be done via satellites from far away.

The comment is appropriate. We hope that the incident will be over soon.

As the Prime Minister has said some multinational companies like Motorola have reinvested in this country. But then, many US companies stay away from Malaysia. We must find out why.

We believe that a non-confrontational attitude by the Prime Minister will go some ways towards creating conducive atmosphere for foreign investors.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw