Evening With American Voices

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I extend to you my own warm welcome and wish you a very enjoyable evening. As I was leaving my seat to come up here, my wife was kind enough to give me a reminder. She said, "Remember, we′re here to listen to American Voices, not yours!" (We′ve been married 20 years.)

Okay. I will not sing and will be very brief. I do want to thank the Deputy Minister of Finance, YB Dato′ Dr Ng Yen Yen, our special guest, for her gracious presence; the Charge d′Affairs of the Embassy of the United States of America, H.E. Mr Robert Pollard, for making this event possible; Mr John Ferguson and Ms Ira Spaulding of American Voices for having come all the way to share their music with us; and everyone in this hall for turning this occasion into charity.

Malaysians and Americans have a lot in common.

Malaysians love many things that are American.

For instance, we are crazy over American movies and television. Much of what we know about American lifestyle we have learnt from watching "Sex in the City" and whatever we know about American logic and philosophy we have learnt from one Bart Simpson - that cartoon character.

We love American fast food and ice cream and Starbucks Coffee. Our children can′t stop drinking Coca-Cola and they can′t stop eating peanut butter. We can threaten but they won′t listen.

And of course, we listen to American music everyday - jazz and blues and rock and rap. We love them all. We are almost American. I am sure we will enjoy American Voices very much.

On the 4th of July, the United States of America celebrates the 227th Anniversary of its independence. On behalf of all Malaysians, may I extend my congratulations and best wishes to Americans everywhere.

Now let′s enjoy American Voices.