"Produced with permission"

"But the Malays - whom so many of their critics see as weak, indolent and inept - have survived European colonisation, raids and threats of conquest by strong neighbours and long submissions as vassals to powerful Asian nations. Because we survived that long history of dealing with powers greater than ourselves, we Malays were able in time to emerge as a people able to take fate into its own hands. For this we are genuinely admired by many other newly independent nations. The Bosnians in Europe and the Arabs today also look up to the Malays, and often seek our guidance on the management of change and development in their countries."

"Today there is a Malay presence everywhere in the world, and most recently in space as well. They have expanded their skills so greatly that now Malays drill for and produce oil, build roads and power plants, and manage multinational corporations and industries, including those involved with sophisticated engineering and high technological content all over the world. They have gone abroad and are accepted as capable contractors, builders and traders. Foreign companies now hire Malay executives for top posts."

" Malays have scaled Mont Everest, sailed solo around the world, swum the English Channel, walked alone across Antarctica and travelled in space. Considering that our land is hot and humid, these achievements are doubly remarkable. Given the opportunity and the right attitude, Malays have proved themselves again and again."

TUN DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD, MALAYSIAN FOURTH AND SEVENTH PRIME MINISTER

" To be a great leader, one needs to have good strategies, be knowledgeable and able to predict the future."