Malaysia can learn from conflict countries on survival - Najib

He said the key to their success comprised peace, stability, good governance and institutional building.

"Bosnia, Cambodia, Rwanda...these are the countries (which were once) in a very serious and internal conflict, civil war, serious civil war, but they managed to turn around.

"I think it was to show the importance of peace, stability and also the governance and institutional building. We need to ensure good governance and strong institutions that go beyond the individual.

"I think those are the lessons that we can learn from the experiences of these countries, and the consequences of conflict go beyond," he said in a press conference in conjunction with the 11th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) which started at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here Tuesday.

Najib said this when asked to comment on issues which he and the leaders of other countries discussed during the 11th WIEF.

He said the experiences of conflict countries was one of the topics discussed, besides the issue of WIEF itself and other current issues.

"I was attracted to the point made by the President of Bosnia-Herzegovina when he talked about the serious brain drain. More than 70 percent, 80 percent PhD's graduates are in America, for example.

"They are not in Bosnia. They are needed in Bosnia, but they are not in Bosnia and fly to another country. So, you can see the serious effects of conflict in Syria and Iraq, where are they, the qualified people?

"So, the consequences of the conflict, once it starts, the consequences will go on for a long, long time," he added.

The three-day, 11th WIEF will see the participation of 3,069 delegates comprising global leaders, ministers, speakers, exhibitors and artistes from 98 countries across five continents.