MITI TO FOCUS ON RESTORING MALAYSIA'S IMAGE

ALOR SETAR (Kedah, Malaysia), July 13 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of
International Trade and Industri (Miti) will focus its efforts on restoring the image of the country which was quite tarnished by last Saturday's illegal gathering.

Its deputy minister, Mukhriz Mahathir, however, said the efforts to restore the image of the country would take some time as the news about the illegal gathering, which had been sensationalised by the foreign media, had prompted foreign investors into thinking that Malaysia was in chaos.

"Some of them (investors) will definitely ask whether Malaysia is stable? Our previous efforts have clearly been jeopardised despite the fact that the illegal gathering was just a one-day event and that the situation has returned to normal the following day.

"When such illegal gathering takes place, political stability in Malaysia can no longer be used as fact," he told reporters after attending state-level Seminar on 1Malaysia Concept here Tuesday.

Mukhriz said the efforts to lure foreign investors had been with done by encouraging them to invest in Malaysia as a whole without giving attention to any particular state.

"All states, including Penang, Selangor or Kedah, will benefit from the investment," he said.

Although the illegal gathering had yet to show serious impact, he said the ministry would continue to monitor the situation.
-- BERNAMA