Package: Positive Reaction From Govt, Opposition MPS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Members of Parliament from both sides of the bench today reacted positively to the second stimulus package tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, saying the mini budget was a timely move to help the people tide over the global economic gloom.

They said that the package would also enable industries to move ahead on various fronts and not to be encumbered by the slowdown.

Even the creative industry would benefit from the package, Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said.

He said the RM20 million allocation for Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) proved that the creative industry was equally important to spur growth.

"The allocation will be used to create content in the music industry, with RTM launching a new 24-hour 'Muzik Aktif' channel over Channel 180 on Astro on Thursday," he told reporters at parliament lobby.

He said that RTM would take appropriate action to implement the project to encourage quality content from players in the creative industry.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the construction of new low-cost terminal showed that the government was committed to enhancing competitiveness in the country's aviation industry.

He said the government had identified RM5 billion investment, which would be implemented "off-budget", including a low-cost carrier terminal project and expansion of Penang airport, at the cost of RM2 billion and RM250 million respectively.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said he was grateful that the package still managed to give priority to education despite the economic slowdown.

"Dilapidated schools would be given attention, as well as schools in rural areas," he said.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Liow Tiong Lai thanked the government for allowing the contract employment of some 1,000 health assistants in local authorities in a move to stamp out infectious diseases such as dengue.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the proposal to increase the number of scholarships for entry into local private universities would enable more students to pursue higher education.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamad said the package would help reduce the burden borne by farmers, fishermen and livestock breeders.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib said the huge allocation for rural development would be welcomed by the people especially those in Sabah and Sarawak.

PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said he hoped that the training and job opportunities announced in the package would be realised to address workers' retrenchment.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said he did not expect Najib to announce a big amount.

"This is not just RM10 billion (as reported). I've said previously that there should be an additional allocation of RM30 billion.

"It turns out that the amount announced by Datuk Seri Najib is RM60 billion for two years," he said.

(Source: BERNAMA)

Najib signals return to ‘Big Govt’

MARCH 11 – The man slated to take over Malaysia’s government later this month hasn’t said much about his economic philosophy. But with the announcement of a 60 billion ringgit(US$16 billion) stimulus package yesterday, one thing is clear: Najib Razak is no free-market reformer.

Najib, who is currently deputy prime minister, called yesterday’s package “unprecedented in the nation’s history.”

For an expenditure of roughly 9 per cent of 2008’s GDP over two years, that’s no exaggeration. Malaysia will raise debt to fund this largesse. The fiscal deficit is now projected to reach a whopping 7.6 per cent of GDP, up from 4.8 per cent.

Malaysia is following in the fiscal footsteps of the US, Australia and Japan, but that doesn’t make it smart.

The “stimulus” from all this spending will likely be limited. Most of the money will be spent on loan guarantees, infrastructure and public sector expansion, rather than on tax cuts that could stimulate productive growth.

State-owned investment company Khazanah, for instance, will be handed 10 billion ringgit. Pet projects such as “green investments” and the state-run automaker will also see cash handouts. The government itself will hire 63,000 workers.

This is effectively a restatement of Malaysia’s old, government-knows-best policies. It’s the opposite of what Malaysia really needs, which is to ditch this thinking and shift to a business climate that encourages private investment and entrepreneurship. The government predicts GDP could shrink 1 per cent this year.

Yesterday’s fiscal expansion is also a political risk for Najib and his ruling coalition. Malaysian voters, fed up with the government’s racial politics and lacklustre economic growth, handed opposition parties roughly one-third of the national parliament last year and victories in two subsequent parliamentary by-elections.

If Najib’s package doesn’t work, the voters may protest again at the polls. – The Wall Street Journal

(Source: Malaysian Insider)

Soalan Jamaluddin Jarjis tentang prestasi pensyarah di Universiti

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Ronald Kiandee]: Dijemput Yang Berhormat Rompin.

Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis [Rompin]: Terima kasih.

Dr. Haji Mohd. Puad Zarkashi [Batu Pahat]: Pesta kampungkah?

Datuk Jamaludin Jarjis [Rompin]: Terima kasih Tuan Yang di-Pertua. Soalan saya mengenai dengan perkara 8 daripada ahli wakil rakyat DAP yang melaung-laungkan isu bahawa tidak perlu kita ikut etnik. Parti DAP itu semua ada etnikkah yang menuduh di sini? Ini yang saya nampak, dia politik sahaja.

Dr. P. Ramasamy [Batu Kawan]: [Menyampuk]

Datuk Jamaluddin Jarjis [Rompin]: Saya tidak merujuk soalan.

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Ronald Kiandee]: Soalan Yang Berhormat, soalan.

Dr. P. Ramasamy [Batu Kawan]: Duduklah.

Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis [Rompin]: Ini saya kata, yang cakap parti hanya hendak...

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Ronald Kiandee]: Yang Berhormat Batu Kawan, duduk Yang Berhormat.

Jamaludin Jarjis [Rompin]: ... membangkitkan semangat orang hendak bergaduh, menghina, benci. Kata akademik, akademikkah doktor ini? Juallah certificate akademik ini. [Dewan riuh]

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Ronald Kiandee]: Soalan Yang Berhormat.

Jamaluddin Jarjis [Rompin]: Ini mungkin beli akademik certificatenya.

Dr. Haji Mohd. Puad Zarkashi [Batu Pahat]: Memang tidak layak jadi Naib Canselor sebab itu...

Dr. P. Ramasamy [Batu Kawan]: Duduklah. [Dewan riuh]

Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis [Rompin]: Mungkin akademik dia beli punya. Yang Berhormat kalau kita membicarakan tentang akademik, kita tanyalah soalan akademik. Bukan soalan kepentingan etnik.

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Ronald Kiandee]: Yang Berhormat. [Dewan riuh]

Datuk Jamaludin Jarjis [Rompin]: Menuduh orang etnik, dia yang etniknya. Betul tidak? Apa ini? Racist lagi pun. [Dewan riuh]

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Ronald Kiandee]: Yang Berhormat, soalan.

Datuk Jamaluddin Jarjis [Rompin]: Soalan saya, saya hendak bertanya adakah Yang Berhormat...[Dewan riuh] Apabila kena sendiri rasa marah. Menuduh orang tidak apa.

Dr. P. Ramasamy [Batu Kawan]: Tidak rasa apa-apa.

Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis [Rompin]: Menuduh belah sini kononnya etnik, soalan anda yang etnik. [Dewan riuh]

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Ronald Kiandee]: Yang Berhormat, duduklah Yang Berhormat. [Dewan riuh] Cukuplah Yang Berhormat. [Dewan riuh] Yang Berhormat Batu Kawan, Yang Berhormat Rompin.

Jamaludin Jarjis [Rompin]: ...ini doktor beli kah ini? Ini doktor akademik belikah ini?

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Ronald Kiandee]: Soalan, Yang Berhormat soalan.

Jamaluddin Jarjis [Rompin]: Soalan, seorang akademik bertanya perkara bukan akademik. Mengatakan kita racist, kamu yang racist nya. [Dewan riuh] Boleh saya tumpang tanya sedikit Tuan Yang di-Pertua. Bagi peluang saya bertanya.

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Ronald Kiandee]: Ya, soalan Yang Berhormat.

Dato’ Dr. Haji Jamaludin bin Dato’ Mohd. Jarjis [Rompin]: Soalan yang akademik,
bukan soalan yang racist. Saya hendak tanya kepada Yang Berhormat, adakah Yang
Berhormat rasa puas hati tentang prestasi pensyarah-pensyarah universiti kita dari research dan kajian mereka.

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Ronald Kiandee]: Habis nafas Yang Berhormat. [Ketawa]

Dr. Hou Kok Chung: Tuan Yang di-Pertua, untuk makluman Ahli Yang Berhormat, memang kita selalu memantau keadaan prestasi setiap akademik. Untuk makluman Dewan yang mulia ini juga, sekarang ini perjalanan untuk mengenal pasti dan mengesyorkan seseorang calon dilantik sebagai NC bagi sesebuah universiti awam adalah teratur dan kemas. Sejauh kuasa yang diberikan kepada jawatankuasa ini, mereka tidak disyaratkan meletakkan kriteria kaum atau bangsa sebagai asas pertimbangan. Sekian.

Umno Assembly To Discuss Teaching And Learning Of Maths, Science In English

KOTA BAHARU, March 8 (Bernama) -- The coming 63rd Umno General Assembly is expected to discuss the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science in English, which is currently a hotly debated issue.

Party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said a fast decision was needed so as not to prolong the issue and for the policy to be accepted by the general public.

"This is expected to be among the resolutions to be debated at the general assembly on March 24, besides the debate on the party president's policy speech and other resolutuons on education and on the economy and religion," he told reporters at a Prophet Muhammad's birthday celebration, here, today.

He said all states would have the opportunity to speak at the general assembly, with the policy speech probably touching on the history of Umno's struggles including after the 12th general election.

"On the economy, the focus will be on uplifting the economy of the Malays which is still weak."

On education, Muhyiddin said the education minister would also be expected to say something on the policy of using English to teach Maths and Science and on resolving the issue.

"Unfortunately, whatever decision made on the policy will be linked to Umno and this will have a negative impact on the party, which has all this while seen as the champion of the Malays and the Malay language," he said.

Muhyiddin, who is contesting the Umno deputy president post, did not dismiss the possibility of the outcome affecting the people's trust in the Umno-led government.

"A fast, definite decision on the matter will be good, especially for the coming generations," he said.

(Source: BERNAMA)

Najib bentang bajet mini RM60 bilion

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Pakej rangsangan kedua yang sedang dibentangkan di Dewan Rakyat oleh Menteri Kewangan Datuk Seri Najib Razak bernilai RM60 bilion.

Jumlah itu akan dibelanjakan dalam tempoh dua tahun, hingga 2010, jumlah besar "yang pertama dalam sejarah ekonomi negara."

Daripada jumlah tersebut, RM15 bilion untuk suntikan kewangan, RM25 bilion (dana jaminan), RM10 bilion (pelaburan ekuiti), RM7 bilion (inisiatif kewangan swasta atau PFI) dan projek-projek di luar belanjawan, dan juga RM3 bilion (insentif cukai).

Jumlah RM60 bilion ini hampir 9 peratus daripada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK), kata Najib.

Beliau membentangkan pakej itu yang dikenali "bajet mini", bagi menampung bajet 2009 yang diumumkan tahun lalu, bermula jam 4 petang ini.

Berikut intipati pakej rangsangan kedua:

• Pembeli rumah diberikan pelepasan cukai bagi faedah yang dibayar untuk pinjaman perumahan sehingga RM10,000 setahun selama 3 tahun;
• Tambahan RM200 juta bagi membina Rumah Mesra Rakyat untuk golongan berpendapatan rendah;
• Dana RM1.6 bilion untuk menggalakkan pelaburan;
• RM200 juta untuk membaiki dan menyenggara longkang dan jalan;
• RM150 juta untuk menjalankan kerja-kerja pengubahsuaian, menyelenggara dan membaik pulih rumah kebajikan, balai dan kuarters bomba serta tandas awam di masjid, surau dan kawasan pelancongan;
• Kerajaan akan menerbitkan Bon Simpanan Kerajaan berasaskan syariah berjumlah RM5 bilion tahun ini;
• RM1.95 bilion untuk membina dan menambah baik kemudahan 752 sekolah, terutamanya di kawasan luar bandar serta Sabah dan Sarawak, di mana RM300 juta akan digunakan untuk menambah baik kemudahan sekolah agama bantuan kerajaan, sekolah jenis kebangsaan (SJK) Cina dan SJK Tamil dan sekolah mubaligh;
• RM230 juta diperutukkan untuk meningkatkan kemudahan asas terutamanya bekalan elektrik dan air di kawasan luar bandar terutamanya di Sabah dan Sarawak;
• RM350 juta peruntukkan untuk pembinaan jalan luar bandar;
• Subsidi RM674 juta untuk mengelak kenaikan harga barangan keperluan seperti gula, roti dan tepung; *
• RM480 juta untuk menampung kenaikan kadar tol; *
• Kerajaan juga akan menyediakan peruntukan RM500 juta untuk Program enyenggaraan Infrastruktur Awam (PIA) dan Projek Infrastruktur Asas (PIAS) dengan dengan memberi tumpuan kepada Sabah dan Sarawak;
• RM1.2 bilion diperuntukkan untuk menyediakan infrastruktur dan
• meningkatkan aktiviti ekonomi di Sabah dan Sarawak;
• RM300 juta untuk program mikro kredit tanpa cagaran di bawah AgroBank bagi embantu petani dan peniaga berasaskan pertanian di luar bandar serta RM50 juta untuk program di bawah Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun);
• Tabung Kebajikan Nelayan sebanyak RM2 juta akan diwujudkan dan diuruskan oleh Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia;
• RM20 juta akan disediakan untuk meningkatkan kemudahan pusat penjagaan harian warga tua, memantapkan pengurusan rumah perlindungan wanita dan menambah kemudahan pusat asuhan kanak-kanak;
• Kerajaan mencadangkan pengecualian cukai yang diberi ke atas bayaran pampasan kehilangan pekerjaan sebanyak RM6,000 sekarang dinaikkan kepada RM10,000 bagi setiap tahun genap perkhidmatan;
• Kerajaan mewujudkan skim Jaminan Modal Kerja berjumlah RM5 bilion untuk membiayai modal kerja syarikat yang mempunyai dana pemegang ekuiti di bawah RM20 juta;
• Kerajaan akan wujudkan Institusi Jaminan Kewangan dengan modal berbayar permulaan RM1 bilion, bagi menyediakan penambahan kredit kepada syarikat yang bercadang mendapatkan pembiayaan pasaran bon. Dijangkakan bon-bon berjumlah RM15 bilion akan diwujudkan menerusi kemudahan berkenaan;
• Terbitan hak oleh syarikat tersenarai tidak lagi perlu kelulusan
• Suruhanjaya Sekuriti;
• Bagi menggalakkan pengambilalihan dan penggabungan, Kod untuk tujuan itu tidak lagi terpakai kepada Syarikat Sendirian Berhad;
• Hanya Suruhanjaya Sekuriti perlu dimaklumkan mengenai sebarang pindaan mengenai terma dan syarat terbitan bon dan sukuk;
• Bon boleh tukar dikecualikan daripada keperluan penarafan mandatori;
• Status penduduk tetap boleh dipertimbang sebagai warga asing yang memiliki set bersih tinggi dan membawa masuk lebih AS$2 juta pelaburan atau penabungan di Malaysia, sebagai usaha untuk membawa memasuk indvidu beraset besar dan berkemahiran tinggi;
• Golongan profesional berkemahiran tinggi juga boleh dipertimbangkan untuk diberi status yang sama;
• Berkuatkuasa 1 Feb, pembayaran levi bagi Kumpulan Wang Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRDF) akan dikecualikan selama enam bulan untuk majikan industri tekstil, elektrik dan elektronik;
• Berkuatkuasa 1 April, kadar pembayaran levi akan dikurangkan kepada 0.5 peratus daripada satu peratus bagi semua majikan untuk tempoh dua tahun;
• Tambahan RM200 juta kepada Dana Pembangunan Automotif;
• Kerajaan akan membantu skim pelupusan kereta Proton dan Perodua, dengan diskaun RM5,000 akan diberikan kepada pemilik kereta sebarang jenama kereta yang ingin melupuskan kereta mereka yang berusia 10 tahun untuk membeli kereta baru Proton dan Perodua;
• Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd akan membina dan mengendalikan lapangan terbang syarikat penerbangan tambang murah (LCCT) baru di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa KL pada anggaran kos RM2 bilion;
• RM250 juta untuk memperluaskan Lapangan Terbang Pulau Pinang;
• Rebat 50 peratus ke atas caj pendaratan akan diberikan kepada semua syarikat penerbangan yang mempunyai operasi di negara bagi tempoh dua tahun mulai 1 April;
• Untuk pelaburan antara 10 Mac, 2009 dan 31 Dis, 2010, kerajaan mencadangkan perbelanjaan loji dan jentera diberikan Elaun Modal Dipercepatkan, yang boleh dituntut dalam tempoh dua tahun;
• Bagi membantu syarikat yang terjejas akibat kesan krisis ekonomi, kerajaan mencadangkan kerugian tahun semasa syarikat dibenarkan dibawa ke tahun sebelumnya. Ini bagi membantu aliran tunai syarikat berbanding layanan cukai sedia ada. Jumlah kerugian yang dibenarkan sehingga RM100,000 setahun yang terpakai bagi tempoh taksiran 2009 dan 2010;
• Paras threshold untuk levi keuntungan luar biasa ke atas sawit akan dinaikkan kepada RM2,500 satu tan untuk Semenanjung Malaysia dan RM3,000 untuk Sabah dan Sarawak.
• RM200 juta untuk menaik taraf infrastruktur di tempat tumpuan pelancong;
• Dana pelaburan Khazanah Nasional akan dinaikkan sebanyak RM10 bilion, dan akan dilaburkan dalam tempoh dua tahun dengan memberi keutamaan kepada aktiviti pelaburan domestik yang mempunyai kesan dan mewujudkan lebih banyak peluang pekerjaan;
• RM100 juta untuk membina jejantas dan laluan berbumbung antara bangunan terutaanya di kawasan Setitiga Emas, Kuala Lumpur;
• Kerajaan akan sedia dana berjumlah RM2 bilion bagi membantu pelaksanaan projek menerusi Inisiatif Kewangan Swasta dan usaha sama awam-swasta. Firma swasta akan dipelawa untuk membida bagi memperoleh dana itu;
• Kerajaan bercadang menambah jumlah biasiswa untuk kemasukan ke universiti swasta tempatan;
• Syarikat berkaitan kerajaan akan mendirikan 10 sekolah swasta yang bukan bertujuan membuat keuntungan;
• Sektor perkhidmatan akan diliberalisasikan lagi bagi menarik lebih banyak pelaburan, membawa masuk lebih ramai profesional serta teknologi, selain mengukuhkan daya saingnya;
• Jawatankuasa Pelaburan Asing akan mengguna pakai pendekatan lebih liberal ke arah membawa perubahan positif dan menyediakan persekitaran yang lebih mesra pelabur dalam usaha menarik lebih banyak pelaburan, termasuk pelaburan langsung asing
• Radio televisyen Malaysia (RTM) diperuntukkan RM20 juta bagi melaksana beberapa projek untuk membangunkan industri muzik tempatan;
• Semua pemerolehan kerajaan akan dibuat menerusi tender terbuka atau tender terhad, kecuali dalam kes-kes khusus.

(Sumber: Malaysia Kini)

Keprihatinan Datuk Jamaluddin Jarjis meninjau kawasan banjir di Selancar Rompin

Kompilasi gambar lawatan Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis, DYMM Sultan Pahang dan KDYTM Tengku Mahkota Pahang ke kawasan banjir di Selancar Rompin

Datuk Jamaludin Jarjis membidas MP Batu Gajah atas tuduhan jahat

MP Rompin, Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis 'naik angin' apabila MP DAP- Batu Gajah mencadangkan di Dewan Rakyat supaya BN diharamkan kerana didakwa bersifat perkauman. Sambil mengemukakan Peraturan Mesyuarat Perkara 36(6), Jamaluddin Jarjis lantang membidas Ahli Parlimen berkenaan kerana membuat sangkaan jahat dengan menuduh parti-parti komponen BN hanya membela kaum tertentu sahaja.

Security beefed up in Parliament - Jamaludin Jarjis

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 MARCH 2009: Security has been tightened in Parliament following the fracas on 26 Feb involving DAP chairperson Karpal Singh and a group of individuals.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the move was taken to prevent a repeat of the incident.

"It has never happened before and the speaker has asked for stricter checks on those coming here. People who have no business [to be here] cannot be here," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

He also said the security measures would be made permanent.

A check by Bernama showed that a special lane had been provided for cars carrying Members of Parliament and another for members of the media, officers and visitors. Visitors are also required to obtain entry passes at the main guardhouse and no longer at the Parliament compound.

Mohamed Nazri said the authorities might also look into the possibility of reintroducing the previous practice of issuing 10 passes for each Member of Parliament who would be responsible for their usage.

On the committee set up to investigate claims by Karpal that he was blocked by a group of youths on Thursday, leading to the fracas at the entrance of Parliament, Mohamed Nazri said the results of the investigation would be known during this sitting.

The eight-member committee comprises Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia as the chairperson and Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Ronald Kiandee as deputy chairperson. Other members are Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu), Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah), Datuk Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong), R Sivarasa (PKR-Subang), Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) and Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat).

Thumbs-up from MPs

Members of Parliament (MP) from both sides of the bench have approved the new security measures.

Rompin MP Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said he was confident that Parliament authorities would be able to handle the matter efficiently.

"It's important that security be beefed up, but it should not be to the extent of stopping those who have dealings with MPs from coming into Parliament," he said.

Jamaluddin Jarjis noted that the parking lots, usually packed with cars, were almost empty. "Maybe this is because previously people were free to come even when they had no business in Parliament," he said.

Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, when met by reporters at Parliament lobby, admitted that previous security measures were a bit loose, "but not the security level."

"In other countries, people are not allowed to bring in their mobile phones.

"When I visited Indian parliament, I had to leave my mobile phone in the bus. The same thing happened when I was at the House of Commons in England ... I had to undergo checks each time I went in," he said.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar also lauded the move.

"If it is implemented efficiently, we can accept it. However, it should not stop those who have business in Parliament, including supporters of MPs, from coming into Parliament," said the Tumpat MP.

Meanwhile, Karpal said he was still not satisfied with measures taken by the authorities.

"Is it to tighten security? It's still not enough," he said.

Karpal said MPs who brought their guests in Parliament should be held responsible for their conduct.

Jamaluddin Jarjis new haircut?

Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis (seated) having his hair trimmed while attending a meet-the-leaders event in Felda Keratong 7, Rompin in Pahang. Jamaluddin is Barisan Nasional's candidate for the Rompin parliamentary seat.

Malaysia To Enhance Political, Economic Ties With African Nations - Datuk Jamaludin Jarjis

Malaysia hopes to enhance political and economic ties with African nations at the Southern Africa International Dialogue (SAID), Datuk Jamaluddin Jarjis said Tuesday night.

Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis said the three-day dialogue beginning Wednesday in Maseru, Lesotho, was an important platform for Malaysia to enhance its political ties with African states.

The close ties between Malaysia and African countries were important in view of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's capacity as Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Jamaludin Jrjis told Bernama when contacted in Maseru. Abdullah left for Lesotho Tuesday.

Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis said, wanted to enhance trade with African nations in its move to diversify its market.

As a trading nation, Malaysia could not continue depending merely on American and European markets, he said.

"Africa has great economic potential and many Malaysian businessmen attending the dialogue will be looking for business opportunities in the region," Jamaluddn jarjis said.

Jamaluddin Jarjis said former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was also expected to attend SAID 2005.