Malaysia Emerges Stronger Amid Great Challenges - High Commissioner

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah SINGAPORE, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore, Husni Zai Yaacob said Malaysia has emerged stronger despite facing great challenges. He said the Malaysian economy expanded by 6.3 per cent in the first half of 2014 as compared to the same period last year. "The robust economy has largely attributed to the success of our economic transformation programme," he said in his speech at a reception to celebrate Malaysia's 57th National Day and 81st Armed Forces Day here on Wednesday night. Husni Zai and his wife Norshiha Hasbullah hosted the reception for invited guests comprising not only Malaysians who are working, studying and residing in Singapore but also Singaporean friends, counterparts and foreign dignitaries. Among them were Singapore Minister of Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang, Member of Parliament (MP) for Holland-Bukit Timah Christopher De Souza, MP for Chua Chu Kang Zaky Mohamad, Singapore Chief of Defence Forces Lieutenant General Ng Chee Meng, and Malaysian Defence Adviser to Singapore Colonel Hashim Aman Shah. Husni Zai said Malaysia's commitment to its economic transformation had also garnered international recognition. Citing the latest World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report 2014, he said Malaysia surged to sixth position from 12th position among 189 economies. He said the Institute for Management Development's World Competitiveness Yearbook 2014 ranked Malaysia at 12th position among 60 countries from 15th position previously. "The jump is a testimony to the international community's growing confidence in Malaysia's ability to transform itself into a high-income nation by 2020," he said. Husni Zai noted that the past year had been most challenging for Malaysia when it was hit by two unprecedented disasters involving the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and the downing of MH17. Earlier at the reception, Husni Zai also paid tribute to all Malaysians, across all divide and diversities for their spirit and courage in dealing with these disasters. --BERNAMA