It gives me much delight to contribute a Foreword to this publication which represents the efforts of an excellent example of academic cooperation and organization in the area of Southeast Asian Studies in the region itself.

An academic conference may be judged by the content of the papers presented and by the quality of exchanges during the ensuing discussions. The breadth and depth of these two aspects are demonstrated by the contents of this book. Although the ambience and superb physical and domestic aspects of the conference are not mentioned, allow me to record the consensus of opinion that they were of the usual level of Sabah hospitality which ranks in the upper echelons of regional and international generosity. For all this, the academic, professional, administrative and political worlds are greatly indebted to the Sabah Foundation which exceeded itself in making the necessary funds available and in keeping the hospitality at its warmest throughout the conference. We are also grateful to the Sabah Government which supported the organizers at every turn.

After all that, what is there to say? There are two serious aspects of the publication of these proceedings that deserve our attention.

Firstly, these papers should be extremely useful to universities that have developed courses in Southeast Asian Studies and to other institutions where such courses are being contemplated. Furthermore, we are provided with a sound body of factual material as well as theoretical expositions that should prove most helpful to teachers in this area.

Secondly, to me personally, this conference represents a stage further in the realization of the need for a regional university where many aspects of specific knowledge can be studied through a regional orientation in an institution that is thoroughly imbued with a regional prospect.

The participants, the supporters and the readers owe a heavy debt of gratitude to Professor Tunku Shamsul Bahrin and Professor J Chandran for their untiring efforts in successfully inviting a galaxy of writers and participants and for managing the conference so efficiently and pleasantly.