M'SIA'S ECONOMY BETTER MANAGED THAN IN US, EUROPE

JELEBU (Malaysia), April 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's economy is better
managed than that of the United States and Europe, said Information,
Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim.

He said this was evident from the Malaysian government's ability to avert
recession from setting in.

Recession is plaguing the whole world but no bank in Malaysia has been
closed down, he said when speaking about his experience as foreign minister for
a year during which he had visited 52 countries.

"The mighty United States in the field of defence and science is still
lagging behind in the economic and housing sectors," he told Bernama.

The United Kingdom and other European countries have slipped into recession
and they have to wait at least two years for their economy to recover, he said.

"I conclude that there is no other better country in unifying diverse races
and maintaining unity in diversity for so long," he said.

Touching on political rehabilitation, Dr Rais said the ruling Barisan
Nasional (National Front or BN) was bringing to the fore leaders of integrity,
capable and loyal.

"Political makeover has started. Efforts are being made to ensure political
leaders don't indulge in money politics to gain power," he said.

Dr Rais also urged elected representatives to use the Internet facility such
as "blogs" and "facebook" to convey their message to the 21 million voters,
majority of whom are aged 40 and below.
-- BERNAMA