POLITICAL STABILITY IMPERATIVE IN A GLOBALISED ECONOMY

MUKAH (Malaysia), Oct 6 (Bernama) -- For Malaysia to compete successfully
in the globalised world, there must be political stability, Chief Minister
Abdul Taib Mahmud said Sunday.

He said investors would certainly make a beeline to a politically very
stable country "with good governance, good civil service and good
politics."

"They (investors) will avoid those (countries) where the people harbour
ill-feelings and anger against the government.

"In the current world economic situation, our country is competing against
very big and powerful countries like the USA, for instance, for the
investor's money.

"The Americans need to borrow to revive and revise the trend of
inflation
in their country.

"The current situation is that there is more need for the injection of new
investments but there is less money for the purpose," he told a Hari Raya
gathering in Mukah, a coastal town, which serves as the administrative centre
of the Mukah District (2,536 square kilometers) in Mukah Division, Sarawak (East
Malaysia).

Taib said the people could, and would determine if they wanted a strong
government which could effectively control the country and its economy.

On the Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE), Taib said it would be
the state's best legacy to its future generation.

"SCORE alone can generate close to 1.5 million jobs by 2030. There will be
jobs for everyone to match their different levels of skill and qualifications,"
he said.

He said SCORE would succeed because Sarawakians had been known not only to
be focussed but hard-working as well.

They must continue to demonstrate and practise such qualities which are
very much sought-after by investors, added the chief minister.