MALAYSIA'S 2009 ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE BETTER THAN EXPECTED, SAYS PM

KUCHING (Malaysia), Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's 2009 fourth quarter
performance that will be announced this Wednesday is better than expected, says
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

Without giving further details, the prime minister said the economic
perfomance during the period was beyond expectation.

"In other words, we have recovered from the global recession" he said at
the 1Malaysia dinner here Monday night.

The dinner was held at the new State Legislative Assembly building here in
conjunction with his two-day official visit to Sarawak starting Feb 22.

Najib said the good perfomance was due to the courageous efforts of the
people of this country and various pro-active steps taken by the
goverment in tackling the economic problem last year.

Najib described his visit to several longhouses here Monday as a very
touching experience.

The prime minister visited Iban longhouse in Saratok and
Lachau,Sri Aman as well as a mixed population of Simunjan town.

"I can feel the warmth and the sincerity of the people," he said adding that
this was an indication of their strong support for the government.

The prime minister also said he would continue to support the development of
Sarawak in terms of infrastructure.

He said this development would be done together with the state government.

Meanwhile Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud who was also at
the event called on the people of Sarawak to support the 1Malaysia concept.

-- BERNAMA