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MORE BENEFITS OF LOOK EAST POLICY
NOVEMBER 14, 1999 -
THE STAR
MALAYSIA and Japan have both enjoyed very good relations with
one another. One of the pillars of this long-lasting
relationship has been the Look East Policy launched by
Malaysia in 1981.
In the expectation that Malaysia could learn from Japan's
economic success, the Government decided to send Malaysian
students, Government officers and technical personnel to
search and study from the Japanese "something ... which is not
found at home," "the virtue of hard work," "diligence in
work," "the paternalistic cradle-to-grave type of relationship
within Japanese companies," "the concept of Japanese
Incorporated," and the highly successful strategies, a device
which is greatly needed for the development of the national
economy.
There are several ways that Malaysians can get to Japan to
study. The sponsored ways include: selection under the
Government's Look East Policy; the programmes of the various
Japanese universities and colleges; through the programmes of
the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, the Asean-Japan
Friendship Programme for the 21st Century, and the Ship for
the South-East Asian Youths Programme.
To date, Malaysians trained under these programmes have
reached the following totals: Look East Policy, 4,000;
Graduates, 1,000; Jica, 420; Friendship, 1,785; Ship, 948.
These figures have been supplied by the various alumni
associations during a seminar in conjunction with the Japan
Festival in Malaysia 1999.
The main areas discussed in the seminar were human resource
development and education in Japan, understanding Japanese
culture, promotion of friendship and understanding through
joint activities, and technical training and transfer of
technology.
The seminar agreed to do the following: increase efforts to
promote Japanese human resource development programmes,
encourage studying of Japanese language and culture among the
Malaysian public, organise forums on Malaysia-Japan relations,
enhance transfer of Japanese technical skills, expertise and
technology to Malaysia, establish a Joint Council to look into
Malaysia-Japan relations, publish a newsletter, begin a Joint
Secretariat office for alumni affairs, and establish a
Japanese Education Counselling Service centre to promote
Japanese tertiary education among Malaysians.
From the Japanese side, the prevailing view is that they were
honoured by the Look East policy. They felt Malaysia has
prioritised its human resource needs very well and is
therefore able to utilise the policy most effectively.
In the light of future changes inside Japan itself, they have
come to realise their problems could not be solved alone.
Japan needs to reach out to its neighbours.
Malaysia-Japan relations have much to offer and will take on
new meanings for the two countries.
The list of unresolved problems is long. On education alone,
the Japanese are known to favour the Chinese and the Koreans.
The fees charged are still exorbitant and conditions for
students to do higher studies are still very strict.
Besides, the language requirement is still keeping out
students.
Moreover, students are not encouraged to gain employment
experience in Japan.
Many believed it should go on but with some changes. The level
of students has to be reviewed in terms of age and human
resource needs of the country.
Perhaps the emphasis should be on gaining training and
experience and on how to achieve excellence in international
marketing.
As for the role of both governments in the area of human
resource development, some of the critical issues that need
attention include:
* ensuring the relevance and quality of training;
* appropriate selection of host training organisations;
* provision of advanced level training for outstanding
trainees;
* the offer of more practical training with the Japanese;
* more Japanese language teachers;
* more twinning opportunities with other Japanese
universities; and
* translation of more Japanese textbooks into English and
Bahasa Malaysia.
The present status of Malaysians employed by Japanese
companies in Malaysia has not been all that successful. Many
problems have surfaced.
According to a survey conducted by the Japanese Graduates
Association, the questions of working environment, salary
structure, promotions, behaviour of Japanese senior managers,
and other related problems have not been satisfactorily
resolved.
While the gathering was aware there are such sensitive areas
in the conduct of relations between the two countries, the
youths are nevertheless willing to play their part as the
catalyst to push for strengthened ties in the future.
If anything, their presence at the seminar could serve as a
lobbying exercise to make their voices heard.
The seminar also drew the presence of the Japanese Ambassador
and other officials. Representatives from the Japanese
private sector were also there.
There will be many such changes in the future, including how
Malaysians can prepare for the period when the Japanese will
expect us to help them solve some of their problems.
High on their list of problems will be the issue of dealing
with the aged, the environment, social issues and basic
infrastructure.
More Malaysians will be going to Japan and more Japanese will
be coming to Malaysia.
The Look East Policy will have to be reviewed against these
expected changes. It has to be managed to derive the maximum
benefits for the two countries.
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