Malaysia's education system a role model for other countries - Muhyiddin

The Malaysian government's focus on development of education has not only helped in the country's development but has also assisted other countries to emulate similar success, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin said improvements in the national education system was the country's biggest investment, so as to churn out students with knowledge, skills and expertise to assist in the development of the nation.

The national education system has produced many intellectuals in almost all fields such as doctors and engineers which is a reason why Malaysia has progressed into an almost developed nation.

He said a blueprint was developed for the sake of the future of Malaysian children who were invaluable assets for this blessed land as the nation's progress would be placed in their hands.

Muhyiddin said what was important was that the final goal of the implementation of programmes was to produce human capital that can contribute to the rapid growth of the country, taking into account sustainable development as well.

"There are about a million Diaspora overseas. They are specialized professionals, experts and specialists in their respective fields. Although Malaysia is a developing country, education is always top on its priority," he

said during a meeting with the Malaysian community, here on Sunday.

However, Malaysia still needed professionals who are based overseas to come home after completing their term of contract or studies.

"To overcome the shortage of professionals and technical experts in the country, towards creating a world-class workforce in Malaysia, particularly in the context of driving the Economic Transformation Programme, the Talent Corp has been formed to look at addressing talent requirements of the economic transformation," he said.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said though many countries had faced an economic downturn, Malaysia still registered an economic growth of more than six percent last year.

"That was one of the reasons we had to 'import' unskilled workers. More than two million foreign workers were needed to cater for the demands in various sectors. Malaysia offers employment for not only its own population but also foreigners to the extend of illegal immigrants sneaking into the country in search of employment.

"Malaysia is heaven for many. Only some Malaysians believed Malaysia is not good enough for them," he said.

Muhyiddin said the government had always taken steps to ensure Malaysia can attract foreign investment, with last year's total foreign investment reaching RM216 billion.

"Malaysia has become an industrialized nation to attract investment and the country has a ranking internationally. Firstly, Business Environment Ranking 2014 by the Economist Intelligent Unit, Malaysia are 19th in the four-year period (2014-2018), up from 24th in the previous period out of 182 countries that participated. Better than United Kingdom, Japan and Korea," he said.

He said for World Bank Group's International Finance Corporation (IFC) Doing Business in 2016, Malaysia ranked 18th this year, up from 20th in 2013 in a key World Bank survey of 189 countries.

"Institute of Management Development (IMD) in 2014 World Talent, Malaysia ranked fifth among 60 countries, beating other notable countries like Singapore and the United States," he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said for the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WYC) 2014 by IMD, Malaysia ranked 12th among 60 countries while for 2014 Visa Restrictions Index by Henley and Partners, Malaysian passport ranked the eight best in the world for travellers.

"The 2014 Global Services Location Index (GSLI) by A.T. Kearney, Malaysia ranked third. 2014 Global Retirement Index by American Publication International Living, listed Malaysia's healthcare system as third best. World Bank's 2014 Ease of Doing Business, Malaysia has improved its ranking from 12th to sixth spot," he said.

Muhyiddin arrived in Japan on Friday for a four-day working visit.