Invest In Myanmar Now, Dr M Urges Malaysians

From Amer Hamzah Md Sap YANGON (Myanmar), Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged Malaysians to invest in Myanmar now, saying if they do not do so now they will probably be left behind investors from other countries. "I see Myanmar is now more relaxed," he told Bernama here, adding the country is prepared to bring changes towards a more open society. Dr Mahathir flew to Myanmar's new administrative centre at Nay Pyi Taw Thursday morning to meet Myanmar President Thein Sein at the latter's office. The meeting lasted over an hour, after which Dr Mahathir met Myanmar's Industry Minister Soe Thein and later flew back here. The former Prime Minister, who was responsible for bringing Myanmar into Asean, said Thein Sein spoke on various matters, including the country's Kyat currency and collaboration on developing palm oil and rubber plantations in the the country's south. The Myanmar president, who also spoke on the possibility of Malaysians investing in Myanmar, also showed interest in forging closer relations with Malaysia and in how Malaysia was developed, he said. The meeting was generally positive, he said, adding as he was not on an official visit, he would relay to the Malaysian government on what was discussed with Thein Sein. Dr Mahathir, who arrived here on Wednesday, said he also had a dialogue with Myanmarese industrialists after delivering a talk on globalisation and liberalisation. Besides asking relevant questions, many of them wanted to know about several matters implemented in Malaysia, he said. He also met pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, whom he had never met before and who is no longer on house arrest, at his hotel before flying home. -- BERNAMA Malaysia