Bismillahhirahmanirrahim

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh; and

a very good morning to:

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Lin See-Yan, our Guest Speaker

 

Tan Sri-Tan Sri. Dato- Dato, Chairmen of the Labuan Financial Industry Associations

Distinguished Guests 

On behalf of the Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA), I have great pleasure in welcoming you to the 6th Labuan International Finance Lecture Series.

I am very pleased to note that the Labuan Lecture Series has again attracted many of you, from a wide range of professions, businesses and the financial services sectors. The Lecture Series have become invaluable to many, as participants from diverse backgrounds use the Lecture Series as a platform to engage and internalise current topics, delivered by prominent speakers who are experts in the subject matter.

The Lecture Series, which represents one of the key initiatives organised by Labuan Financial Services Authority, is aimed at engendering knowledge cultivation - specifically for the business community, with the latest views, information and trends happening in the global economies, business and financial markets.

My utmost appreciation goes to our Guest-Speaker, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Lin See-Yan, who has graciously availed himself to be with us and to share his insights through his presentation entitled, “As I see it: The World is Still a Dangerous Place”.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen

Indeed, the global economy has become quite vulnerable. We now observe the global activity weakened due to unresolved structural fragilities and a barrage of adversities which had struck the international economies such as the European debt crisis, the devastating Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami, and the political and social unrest in the Middle East. Against this backdrop, we certainly need to consider how these events are or will be impacting us given the interlinkages and connectivity of the world in which we live today.

On this very intricate, yet interesting economic and financial issues and concerns, we cannot have a more qualified person to share his views with us other than Tan Sri Dr. Lin See Yan, who has vast knowledge, experience in finance and best known for his views on economics after being with the Central Bank of Malaysia for over 30 years and as a financial regulator before his various key positions in the financial industry, public institutions and other business organisations.

It is our hope that the Lecture Series today would not only enhance your understanding on some of the more complex and recent business and financial issues but would also bring new insights for you to strengthen your personal and professional disposition, enabling you to brace against the threats and take the opportunities arising from events that are unfolding before us.

Ladies and Gentlemen

As I have the pleasure of inviting Tan Sri Dr Lin to deliver his presentation, allow me to first mention some of Tan Sri’s luminous credentials.

Tan Sri Dr Lin now sits on the Board of a number of publicly listed and private companies in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, and has held various key positions in the Government, including being a member of Prime Minister’s Economic Council Working Group since 2001.

Tan Sri is also the Chairman Emeritus of Harvard University’s Graduate School Alumni Association Council in Cambridge (USA) and the Regional Director for Asia, Harvard Alumni Association. Interestingly, I noted Tan Sri is the first non-American to sit on the Harvard Graduate School Alumni Association Council and is also the first non-American to chair the Council.

Tan Sri publishes widely in academic, economic, banking and business journals and currently contributes his ideas in a fortnightly column in the news media.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we look forward to our Guest Speaker’s presentation with great interest, I trust that many of us will also take the opportunity to benefit from the two-way dialogue through the Questions and Answers session, which will ensue afterwards.

Without further ado, I have the pleasure of now inviting Tan Sri Dr. Lin See Yan, to take us through his self-titled presentation, “As I See It: The World is still a Dangerous Place”.

 

Thank you and wassalam.