KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is a model Islamic country with massive economic development that could be emulated by other Islamic nations across the world, a Yemen envoy in the Southeast Asian country said on Thursday. Ambassador Abdullah Mohamed al-Montser said that his country, which is currently struggling to find its way following a popular uprising that ousted former President Ali Saleh, believes that the model of Malaysia could be an example that Sana'a would like to follow. Towards this end the country's Prime Minister, Mohamed Salem Basundwa has invited former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, whom he considers to be the “architect and brains behind the economic miracle in Malaysia” to Saana for discussions, he told Bernama in an interview here. Mahathir is scheduled to visit Yemen today. Besides meeting Mohamed Salem and other government ministers, Mahathir was also scheduled to meet public and private sector leaders. Abdulla said Yemen admired Malaysia's success in all fields and believed that all other middle east countries shared the same view. “We all consider Malaysia as a Model Progressive Islamic Country and greatly respect Mahathir for his contributions in bringing Malaysia to where it is today,” Abdulla added. He hoped the visit would further help increase the trade, cultural and economic links between Malaysia and Yemen.
