PR FOR OUTSTANDING FOREIGN STUDENTS TO AID COUNTRY'S DEVELOPMENT - MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- The aim of the Malaysian government to
offer permanent residence (PR) status to outstanding foreign students is to
utilise their expertise and knowledge for the country's development and for the
benefit of local students.

All quarters should understand the government's intention as the move could
contribute to the country's progress and development in k-economy, Higher
Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.

"We want the public to understand that we want them to remain in the country
so that we can utilise their expertise and knowledge," he told reporters after a
function with disabled students at University of Malaya here Wednesday.

He was commenting on a newspaper report on objections by certain quarters,
including academicians and Cuepacs, on the matter.

Mohamed Khaled said a similar approach was taken by several countries,
like Singapore, which offered various incentives to foreign experts and
academicians.

"We are facing competition to get the best brains," he added.

-- BERNAMA