Malaysia can be a developed nation by 2018

Malaysia does not need to wait until 2020 to become a developed nation, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Instead, it could become one by 2018 based on the strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

He said until last year, the nation has recorded between five and 5.3 per cent GDP growth every year.

"Last time we expected to achieve developed nation status by 2020 but due to the efforts by the federal government, we can achieve it early.

"Also, we can achieve the target early because the nation's per capita income has been increasing every year," he told a media briefing after the Penang Federal Action Council meeting here today.

Earlier, Nor Mohamed, who is also member of Parliament for Tasek Gelugor, said only the Barisan Nasional government could bring development and economic growth and this could be seen now.