By Rema Nambiar
Source: Sunday Star
August 7, 1988
Kuala Lumpur, Saturday - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad urged nations today to destroy whatever nuclear devices they own.
He said the presence of some 50,000 nuclear warheads in the world was a grim reminder of the possibility of a nuclear war occurring in the future.
"If there is a nuclear war, we in Malaysia cannot escape from it because when a bomb explodes, it releases radiation that will travel all over the world and everybody will feel its effects," Dr Mahathir said when opening an exhibition at the City Hall foyer commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima City.
"I have heard that certain nuclear bombs can be made cheaply and this might tempt smaller nations to make them. Hence, we must be reminded how dangerous the world will become if this happens."
Dr Mahathir said people should move Governments not to resort to nuclear weapons in the event of a war.
"The best way, however, for countries to sattle their problems will be at the negotiating table," he said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister and his wife, Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Ali, caused a ripple when they mad an unexpected appearance at the exhibition's opening.
Dr Mahathir was originally scheduled to open it but it was cancelled as he had other pressing engagements.
"At first I thought I would not have the time to come here. But since I had the time today, I decided to drop by to see the exhibition," he told the 100-odd people present.
The two-week exhibition of paintings, photographs, posters and books depicting the horrors of the Hiroshima bombing is the first of its kind to be held here.
It is part of the Hiroshima Day programme organised by the Malaysian Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (a section of the Malaysian Medical Association).
Other items in the programme are public talks, film shows and dramas.
