Green technology and environment new fields under Malaysia's look east policy

PUTRAJAYA, March 10 (Bernama) - Green technology and environment are new
fields that will be introduced under the Look East Policy (LEP), said Minister
in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz.

It will breathe new life into LEP by exploring new cooperation with Japan as
well as inviting the business comunity to strengthen cooperation to achieve high
income economy.

Nazri said Prime Minister Najib Razak wanted LEP retained as it is the main
thrust of bilateral ties between Japan and Malaysia.

"The only thing he asked was for the Japanese government to provide new
fields for us to explore.

"With the move, we can send our students for new fields other than
engineering," he told reporters after addressing Japan bound students sponsored
by the Public Service Department (PSD) here Thursday.

The brainchild of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, LEP was
launched in 1982.

Some 229 students sponsored by PSD this year will take first degree and
diploma in engineering and social science at universities and colleges in Japan.

Nazri said that PSD are sponsoring 1,041 students in various universities
and colleges in Japan.

Over 15,000 Malaysians have benefited from LEP, with many holding high and
middle positions in the public and private sectors.

The government spends up to RM380,000 (US$126,000) on each student for the
four years course. Some 400 Malaysian students are pursuing engineering course
in South Korea.