MALAYSIA'S 37TH RANKING PROVES OPPOSITION WRONG

BACHOK (Kelantan, Malaysia), Aug 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's 37th ranking on "The
World's Best Countries" list by Newsweek magazine has proven the opposition
wrong.

Deputy Finance Minister Dr Awang Adek Hussin said opposition
allegations that the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) government was corrupt
and bankrupt were unfounded.

"They should be thankful to the government and not make such baseless
allegations," he told reporters after breaking fast with Universiti Malaysia
Kelantan (UMK) staff in Tangok Tuesday night.

Malaysia was ranked 37th for top globe nations by economy, politics, education,
health and quality of life.

Newsweek placed Malaysia above Indonesia, Thailand, China, Philippines, India
and Vietnam.

The magazine also ranked Malaysia 8th best in the world in education among
developing countries.

Awang urged the opposition to stop spreading lies to make the people hate the
government like Felda was bankrupt, cruel and neglected the poor Malays.

Reform undertaken by the government had proved fruitful as many children of
farmers and fishermen had attained higher education and better quality of life.

Awang said initiatives like the New Economic Model NEM), Economic
Transformation Plan and the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP) would strengthen
government policies.
-- BERNAMA