General Assembly Session 56 meeting 62

The Acting President

Before we take up the items on our agenda, it is my sad duty to pay tribute to the memory of the late King of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, who passed away on Wednesday, 21 November 2001, in Kuala Lumpur.

On behalf of the General Assembly, I request the representative of Malaysia to convey our condolences to the Government and the people of Malaysia and to the bereaved family of His Majesty Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.

I invite representatives to stand and observe a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of His Majesty Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.

The Acting President

I give the floor to Mr. Semakula Kiwanuka, Permanent Representative of Uganda, who will speak on behalf of the Group of African States.

Mr. Semakula Kiwanuka (Uganda)

It is with profound shock and deep sadness that I stand here, in my capacity as Chairman of the African Group for the month of November, and also in my personal capacity as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations, to express my heartfelt condolences on the death of His Majesty Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, King of Malaysia, at the age of 74.

His Majesty was a modern King of the twentieth century, who broke with tradition and set aside protocol to reach out to the masses. He was a King with a social conscience and a deep love for his people. His experience as a former inspector of schools brought him face to face with the pressing need for education. He took a passionate interest in the education of children, especially in the rural areas, and Malaysia, which has distinguished itself in the field of human capacity-building today, owes a lot to His Majesty's leadership.

On this sad occasion, I convey once again, on behalf of the African Group at the United Nations, my deepest sympathy to the Government and the people of Malaysia and to the bereaved family on the loss of their King, who will be greatly missed for his wise leadership.

May the Good Lord rest his soul in eternal peace.

The Acting President

I give the floor to Mr. Fayssal Mekdad, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic, who will make a statement on behalf of the Group of Asian States.

Mr. Mekdad (Syria)

We were shocked to hear of the death of the King of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah. His passing represents a great loss for the brotherly people of Malaysia and for all our countries, and it saddens me to express, on behalf of the member States of the Asian Group and on behalf of my own country -- the Syrian Arab Republic -- our deepest and most sincere condolences to the King's bereaved family, to the Government and the people of Malaysia, and to Ambassador Hasmy Agam, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations, and all members of his Mission.

The late King was greatly admired by the people of his country for his distinctive qualities and leadership role. In addition to serving in a number of areas of public life, the King was for a long period the ruler of the important province of Silangore. His main accomplishment, of which he was very proud, was his work as a school inspector in his province. He attached particular interest to the education of children, particularly in the rural areas. Can there be a nobler cause than participating directly in teaching a whole new generation to enjoy learning and knowledge, thereby laying down the foundation for the comprehensive cultural renaissance that Malaysia has enjoyed at all levels?

History will record that, as a ruler, he broke with tradition and set aside protocol so that he could remain in direct contact with his people. That is why the people of Malaysia loved him and supported his efforts to achieve his goals. Indeed, his accomplishments led Malaysia to its current economic and social prosperity.

With the death of their King, Malaysians have lost a leader who was very close to his people and who for many years devoted all his energy to serve them.

We in the Group of Asian States at the United Nations have lost a very prominent Asian personality, one who effectively contributed to the achievement of a true renaissance in Malaysia, a country whose sacrifices and generosity have become an example to be emulated.

I wish once again to reiterate our condolences to the King's bereaved family and to the Government and people of Malaysia.

The Acting President

I now give the floor to the representative of Hungary, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Eastern European States.

Mr. Posta (Hungary)

In my capacity as Chairman of the Group of Eastern European States for the month of November, I would like, on behalf of the countries of the Group, to express our deepest sympathy to the Government and the people of Malaysia on the passing of His Majesty Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, the late King of Malaysia. We are aware that the late King was known and respected by the people of Malaysia as a sociable and sensitive ruler deeply concerned about the welfare of his people. We share sentiments of sorrow and sadness with our Malaysian colleagues over this great loss. Let me express once again, on behalf of the Group of Eastern European States, our condolences to the people of Malaysia.

The Acting President

I now give the floor to the representative of Iceland, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Western European and other States.