Acceptance Speech: Honorary Doctorate in International Business by IIUM

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim,

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,

Menghadap Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Pahang, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’adzam Shah, DKP, Ketua Perlembagaan Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia; dan,
Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultanah Pahang, Sultanah (Dr.) Hajjah Kalsom, Canselor Limkokwing University

2. Ampun Tuanku Beribu-ribu Ampun, sembah patik harap diampun. Patik merafak sembah menjunjung kasih atas perkenan Tuanku menganugerahkan patik Ijazah Kehormat Doktor Perniagaan Antarabangsa. Sesungguhnya penganugerahan ini amat bermakna kepada patik dan akan patik semadikan dengan menjunjung perkembangan ilmu dan pembangunan Negara hingga ke akhir hayat Patik, in syaa Allah.

Ampun Tuanku beribu-ribu ampun, sembah patik mohon diampun.

3. Patik mohon limpah perkenan Kebawah Duli Tuanku untuk patik menyampaikan sepatah dua kata kepada hadirin sekalian dan seterusnya mengendalikannya dalam Bahasa Inggeris.

Ampun Tuanku.

Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri Diraja Haji Adnan Bin Haji Yaakob, Menteri Besar Pahang,
Honourable Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, President of International Islamic University Malaysia and Honourable Puan Sri Datin Seri Masnah Rais,
Yang Amat Mulia Kerabat-Kerabat Bergelar,
Honourable Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Zaleha Kamaruddin, Rector of International Islamic University Malaysia,
Yang Mulia Kerabat-Kerabat,

Honourable Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Sanusi Junid, Fourth President of IIUM and Honourable Puan Sri Datin Seri Nila Inangda Manyam Keumala
Honourable Prof. Dr. Torla Haji Hassan, Chairman of The IIUM 31st Convocation,
Excellencies and Honorable IIUM Board of Governers, Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Yang Hormat Exco-Exco dan Ahli-Ahli Jumaah Pangkuan Diraja Negeri Pahang,
IIUM Senate Members, Representatives of Institutes of Higher Learning from Malaysia and OIC,
Honourable Tan Sri-Tan Sri, Dato’-Dato’,
Honourable Guests and Companies Representatives,

Staff and Graduands of the 31st International Islamic University Malaysia Convocation,
Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentleman,
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuh,

4. I would like to express my gratefulness to the Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala for His mercy and blessings in enabling me to stand before you as a recipient of the Honorary Doctorate in International Business. My sincere thanks and heartfelt appreciations to all for bestowing this distinguished honour upon me. IIUM is very close to my heart. It will always be. I had the distinctive privilege of being associated with IIUM as its President for five years. And I always enjoyed coming to the campus to interact with the students, staff and faculty.

5. The Friday prayers at our mosque have always been special. It reminds me of the Grand Mosque in Makkah – to witness fellow Muslims from all over the world in one place, engaged in a singular mission. In IIUM, that mission is to acquire knowledge, and to expand the body of knowledge. For the Ummah. This characteristics of being a ‘melting pot’ is what sets IIUM apart from other universities.

Graduands, Ladies and Gentlemen,

6. While most may remember me for my service as Chief Secretary to the Government, that was only the last six years out of my over 38 years in the Civil Service. Alhamdullillah IIUM also remembers my almost 28 years in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, which is responsible for a sector that is so significant for our country’s economic well-being.

7. Malaysia has the 67th largest land size and 43rd largest population. Not a very large nation by most account.

8. Nevertheless, we are 18th in World Competitiveness (by World Economic Forum), 18th in Ease of Doing Business (by World Bank), have the 35th largest GDP (26th GDP on PPP) and among the 30 largest trading nations in the world. Malaysia is a very open economy. International trade corresponds to 131% of our GDP.

9. Our destiny, as a nation, lies in promoting and growing international trade. This is because our 30 million people can only consume so much of anything we produce. And, there are many products and services that we produce.

10. International trade is not a zero-sum game. The theory of comparative advantage which lies at the heart of globalisation means global trade can be a win-win. But that is conditional upon each trading partner going beyond self-interest to look at the bigger picture. Not just what is good for us, or for them, but what is good for all of us. Win some, lose some. But overall, the sum becomes greater than the parts. That’s what free Trade Agreements is all about. That’s what the current debate on TPPA is all about. We need the wisdom, and goodness of the heart to see that.

11. For a country that is highly dependent on external trade and the global economy for our economic well-being, it is in our best interest that we embrace globalisation and free trade. We MUST embrace the maxim ‘prosper thy neighbour’. No country can afford to be an island. Maybe in the 17th century. But not now. Even so, we should take a lesson from the fact that at the height of the Malacca Sultanate’s power and influence in the 15th Century, its capital grew into one of the most important entreport of its time, and Malacca emerged as a centre for the spread of Islamic knowledge and jurisprudence. And in more recent and not so recent years, it was modern Malaysia’s openness and liberalisation – when others decided to remain closed – that made us attractive to investments, both foreign and domestic.

Graduands, Ladies and Gentlemen,

12. This maxim of ‘prosper thy neighbour’ is not only applicable in trade. It is something we should embrace as individuals. In whatever vocation or position, always remember to ‘Do unto others as you would have others do unto you’. Or ‘to do even better’.

13. I attribute success in life, among others, to subscribing to that philosophy. And, to hard work and integrity.

14. I come from a somewhat obscure kampung called Cherok Paloh, somewhere between Kuantan and Pekan in Pahang. I must say with great confidence that Cherok Paloh too benefits from “trading” beyond the confines of Cherok Paloh. A former Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia and the current State Secretary of Pahang are from Cherok Paloh. I must add with even greater confidence that the importance of going beyond our borders and the need for a concomitant adjustments is of even more import to Malaysia.

Ampun Tuanku.

15. Demikianlah ucapan yang ingin patik sampaikan pada Majlis yang berbahagia ini. Patik sekalian berdoa agar Duli Tuanku senantiasa berada di dalam perlindungan Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala dan semoga Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia akan terus berkembang pesat dan maju tersohor di bawah naungan Duli Tuanku.

Ampun Tuanku.

Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah
Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh