Monday, December 6, 2010

Najib: Govt monitoring hot money inflow into region

PUTRAJAYA: The government is monitoring hot money inflow Into the region but the situation has not reach an alarming level, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

The Prime Minister said on Monday, Dec 6 Bank Negara Malaysia was specifically keeping tab on the situation while other governments in the region were also doing the same.

"We are monitoring (the situation). Hot money inflow has not reached an alarming level," said Najib, who is also Finance Minister, to reporters after launching the Talent Corporation here.

Najib was asked on the huge amount of investment funds seeking higher returns in the region that could destabilise the economy.

US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke recently said it could expand a programme to buy US$600 billion in Treasury securities beyond the initial target it announced a month ago.

The comments came after the release of a weaker-than-expected US employement report on Friday. Bankers expect Asia's asset bubble to further exacerbate if the United States fails to channel extra liquidity from a new wave of quantitative easing into actual employment.

Earlier, Najib announced new policy initiatives to address the need for world-class talents pursuant to Malaysia's economic transformation.

He said selected students under the Public Service Department's scholarship programme would be able to serve their bond of service with a broader range of organisations including government-linked companies and private sector corporations in the country.

The detailed mechanism would be developed by the government next year, the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, a resident pass will be introduced to highly-qualified expatriates and Malaysians who no longer hold citizenship but wish to reside and work in Malaysia.

Najib said the Immigration department was expected to implement the new initiative by the middle of next year while the employment pass conditions would'' be relaxed.

The requirement for an understudy, the need to advertise an executive position and the 10-year limit for key expatriate executives will also be removed.

The changes will take effect next year, said Najib. - Bernama


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