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'Malaysia is a

role model for

Muslim world'

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Malaysia through its dynamic policies of economic growth and social progress can be a role model for the Muslim world. This was stated here on Sunday by Dr Mumtaz Ahmed Professor of Political Science, Hampton University, USA.

Delivering a lecture on 'Malaysia: Politics, Development and Islam' at the Institute of Policy Studies, he said that Malaysia is the only Muslim country that has shown stable and consistent economic growth for the past many years. Its distinct feature is that its economy is diversified unlike some oil producing opulent countries.

He said its performance can be gauged from the facts that its currency is strong and stable, per capita income is $7,500, inflation rate has never been more than 3.4 percent, its 65 percent exports include manufactured goods and it ranks 17th among the exporters around the world.

Major experts of Malaysia include electrical and electronics instruments, textiles, rubber, tropical timber and palm oil.

Dr Mumtaz told the audience that Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world.

He said the reason for the unparalleled progress Malaysia has made is the presence of strong infrastructure " and this is why the country is marching on the road of development and prosperity." Dr Mumtaz said that the government "keeps distributing the benefits of economic growth throughout the country which is evident from the well-stretched network of dispensaries, hospitals and schools in the entire country," he added.

EDUCATION

He said Malaysian government is sincerely pursuing the policy of spreading education and 85 percent of the educational budget is spent on primary education and 97 percent children go to schools. Unlike other Muslim and Third World countries, the portfolio of the education ministry is considered most important and is given to the most able and competent member of the parliament.

Though Malaysia is an advanced industrial country, it does not want to imitate the West. It wants to make all-round progress while retaining its traditions and moral values.

Dr Mahatir's agenda is to achieve uniform economic growth, establish a just society where everyone has equal rights and opportunities.

Dr Mumtaz said that Malaysia is the only country in the world which is pursuing the policy of increasing the population from 19 million to 70 million by the year 2020.

DEMOCRATIC ISLAMISATION

He said that the process of Islamisation is in progress in Malaysia but the notable thing is that it is being done through democratic ways and means and Malaysian leadership avoids confrontational style.

Prime Minister Mahatir Muhammad is pursuing an honourable foreign policy free from the foreign pressure. He exposes the double standards of the Western powers and openly criticizes the indolence of the UN in issues pertaining to the Muslim Ummah. He strongly supports the struggle in Bosnia, Palestine. Mahatir rejected the invitation to meet the US President Bill Clinton. Moreover, he has decided not to participate in the celebrations on the eve of the completion of 50 years of the UN as he maintains that "UN has nothing on its credit which could be celebrated."

Later Rastam Muhammad Isa, High Commissioner of Malaysia spoke on the occasion and was of the view that Malays were on the road of development in every sector. "Malaysia concentrates mainly on education and we have come out with eight agricultural universities," he added.