POSITIVE GROWTH IN SEVERAL SECTORS FUELLED ECONOMIC RECOVERY

IPOH (Malaysia), Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's recovery from the global
economic crisis were fuelled by positive growth registered by various sectors
and not solely due to the accelerated implementation of the RM67 billion
(US$1=RM3.4) economic stimulus package, says Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri
Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

He said the Opposition claims that Malaysia's 2009 "better than expected"
fourth quarter economic performance was the direct result of the whopping RM67
billion stimulus package was totally baseless.

"The economic recovery in the United States and Europe also provided the
advantage to Malaysia. While we did not reduce our exports to Europe, we also
increased our exports to Asian countries.

"Previously, our country registered a trade deficit with China, but it was
no
longer the case now as within a two-year period, we have recorded a trade
surplus," he told reporters after launching the "Pintar MAS" programme at
Sekolah Kebangsaan Manjoi Dua here today.

Ahmad Husni said the high growth rate recorded by several economic sectors
provided the impetus for the country to recover from the economic crisis that
plagued the world.

For instance, he said, the manufacturing sector recorded a negative growth
in the first, second and third consecutive quarters last year, but rebounded in
the fourth quarter, with a positive growth.

"In the first quarter, the sector registered -17.9 per cent growth, second
quarter -14.5 per cent, third quarter -8.6 per cent and in the fourth quarter
+5.3 per cent. All these contributed to the nation's economic growth," he added.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, when announcing the 2009 fourth
quarter economic performance on Wednesday, said the worst was over for the
country.

The 4.5 per cent economic growth registered in the fourth quarter of last
year was beyond expectation, amid strengthened domestic and external demand,
said Najib, who is also Finance Minister.

For the year 2009, the economy contracted by 1.7 per cent, lower than the -3
per cent projected earlier, he added.

-- BERNAM