TOP INDONESIAN ENTREPREUNERS KEEN ON INVESTING IN MALAYSIA, SAYS DPM

BY AHMAD FUAD YAHYA

JAKARTA, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Top Indonesian entreprenuers are showing a
renewed interest in investing in Malaysia, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin.

He said they were keen on exploring opportunities in medical and health
services, banking, construction, housing, real estate and transportation.

"This is a good sign. We want to see a greater participation of Indonesian
companies in the Malaysian economy," he told a press conference after holding a
meeting with top Indonesian businessmen at Menara Bank Mega here Friday.

Among those present was Robert Budi Hartono, the owner of the Djarum
cigarette company, who was named by Forbes magazine Friday as Indonesia's
richest man.

Muhyiddin said that at the meeting, he explained about the Malaysian
government's economic transformation plan introduced by Prime Minister Najib Tun
Abdul Razak, which has identified 131 projects that would benefit
entreprenuers, including from Indonesia.

The said projects will only involve eight per cent government
participation
while the rest by the private sector.

Muhyiddin also said Malaysia wanted to further strengthen cooperation with
Indonesia in entreprenuer development throught the exchange of expertise from
both countries and that follow-up action on this would be taken soon.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same press conference, Indonesia's Para Group of
Companies (Para Group) chairman Chairul Tanjung said the businssmen present at
the meeting were very impressed with the changes taking place in Malaysia.

"It is something new for us that a deputy prime minister makes the effort to
talk directly to us. This is very welcome indeed," he said, adding that the
businessmen present were keen on exploring business opportunities not only in
Peninsular Malaysia but also in areas bordering Kalimantan in East Malaysia.

As for the Para Group, he said his company was interested in taking over
Carrefour's business in Malaysia but several obstacles stood in the way causing
the move to be postponed for the time being.

-- BERNAMA