PUTRAJAYA: MALAYSIA'S transformation programme has caught the South
African government's interest to learn more about its execution and
implementation.
"(South African) President (Jacob) Zuma is keen to look at how we carry out our transformation programme, with emphasis on (its) execution and implementation.
"The South African government has asked Idris Jala to visit South Africa and make a complete presentation on the matter," Najib said in a joint press conference after a 90-minute meeting with Zuma and his delegates here yesterday.
He said Zuma had also raised issues on affirmative actions in creating jobs as well as fighting crime and corruption.
"These are issues which are quite familiar to us and we stand ready to contribute in terms of Malaysia's experience on whatever that we have carried out so far."
Malaysia is also willing to share its experiences and expertise in other areas, including infrastructure development.
"President Zuma did stress on the need for a very large investment in infrastructure development and Malaysian companies stand ready to participate in the infrastructure development, depending on the terms and conditions and the model to be offered to Malaysian companies."
The prime minister said Malaysian companies had the expertise in highway construction, power generation, port development and airports as well as public housing.
Najib also hoped for the resuscitation of the Malaysia-South Africa business council with strong participation and leadership from the private sector.
The prime minister said he and Zuma believed the two countries' current bilateral trade at US$2 billion (RM6.6 billion) could be increased.
To a question on the impact of Zuma's visit to Malaysia, Najib said it would trigger a lot of impetus for both nations.
"We have to allow market forces to play their part and, as a government, we encourage trade to be further enhanced.
"We will not be able to determine whether the trade will favour us or our trading partners. As long as there is a balance payment that we can manage in a prudent and even keel basis plus it stays on the positive level, we will be happy with that."
Zuma, meanwhile, said the country had always valued the strong relationship it had with Malaysia.
He appreciated Malaysia's strong stand against the apartheid regime by being vocal about it at international platforms.
"Malaysia was one of the first countries since we gained democracy to assist in our reconstruction and development challenges based on its own success. We regard Malaysia as a generous and trusted friend and ally."
"In 1994, Malaysia became one of the first investors in South Africa, demonstrating the extreme faith and confidence in the newly-created democratic South Africa.
"When most of the world adopted a wait-and-see approach investing in South Africa, Malaysia led the way.
"Today, Malaysia is the largest investor in South Africa from Southeast Asia and South Africa is one of the big investors from Africa in Malaysia."
Meanwhile, Idris said he would visit South Africa in the middle of next month.
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| Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak greeting South African President Jacob Zuma on the latter’s official visit to Malaysia at the Prime Minister’s Department, Dataran Putra, in Putrajaya yesterday. |
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