500 To Attend Colloquium on Internationalising Malays
Bernama – 12/5/2006
KOTA KINABALU - About 500 people will attend a colloquium to discuss the internationalisation of the Malays organised by an Umno Youth bureau at Universiti Malaysia Sabah here Saturday.

The colloquium is aimed at spurring the Malays to adopt a global outlook and play a major role in the international arena, said Umno Youth Exco member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

It is organised by the youth wing's international relations and non-governmental organisations bureau which he heads.

Mukhriz said by pooling their resources and capitalising on their strength, the Malays could succeed globally.

He said the Malays lacked exposure and experience and, as a result, not many had ventured overseas.

"With the employment and business opportunities at home eroding, the Malays ought to venture abroad.

"The risks are high but so are the returns," he told a news conference on the colloquium Friday.

The colloquium, which will be attended by lecturers, Umno members and students, will be opened by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will present a keynote address on the internationalisation of the Malays.

Mukhriz said the colloquium was in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's call to Malays to seize opportunities that would help them become a developed race by 2020.

He said the second colloquium would be held in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia for participants from Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, and the Prime Minister would be invited to deliver the keynote address.
Source: www.bernama.com