Malaysian Ambassador speaks at BYU

The Malaysia ambassador to the United States addressed a diverse crowd of business leaders, students, Consulates and a Samoan governor last Wednesday at the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies located at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Awang  Adek Hussin was credentialed as ambassador to the United States in 2014 and was welcomed to the Kennedy Center as a special guest of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Ambassador addressed Malaysia’s growing economy and the nation’s role in the ASEAN economic community. Hussin spoke proudly of his countries beauty and resources , as well as highlighted his nation’s ever-decreasing poverty. “Eradication of poverty has always been a major policy in Malaysia,” he said.

Hussin displayed statistics that showed this success in Malaysia, such as a higher life expectancy for the nation and lower infant mortality rates. He explained that the reduction in poverty stems from a focus on utilizing the land, providing educational scholarships and giving financial assistance to small businesses. We don’t take from the rich and give to the poor,” Hussin said. “We get the poor to work their land.”

The Ambassador was aware of contributions made to Malaysia from LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From 2008 to present, the Church has provided over 1.75 million dollars in charitable aid through Emergency Response, Wheelchairs, Neo-natal Resuscitation Training,  Vision programs and other projects. 

Hussin also discussed Malaysia’s significant international recognition. Malaysia is the No. 6 most attractive investment destination, he said. IMD ranks the nation No.14 in world competitiveness. It is among the top locations in the world for manufacturing. It holds the No.18 spot as a nation for ease of doing business with. “Not bad for a small country,” Hussin said.

Malaysia is a member of ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nation. This organization is an integration of the economies of Southeast Asia. ASEAN has the world’s seventh largest economy, and it is expected to have the fifth largest economy by 2020.