Is it safe?

A research arm of international business magazine The Economist has rate Malaysia as a low risk coountry in terms of social unrest. We are ranked among 31 countries with a low or very low risk of national instability, on par with Singapore which recently went through an unprecedented 'riot' involving some foreigners.

Surverying 150 countries, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) placed Malaysia as among the 'safest' nations for foreign investors and tourists.


What a 'soothing' report. I believe most Malaysians are happy with it, except for those who still want to plunge our position further to join the pool of 'most critical', namely Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia.

PETALING JAYA: A research arm of international business magazine The Economist has rated Malaysia as a low risk country in terms of social unrest, a finding some experts here agree with.
Surveying 150 countries, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranked Malaysia among 31 countries with a low or very low risk of national instability, on par with Singapore.
In comparison, neighbouring Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines were marked as medium to high risk of social unrest.
EIU country forecasting services director Laza Kekic cited economic problems, coupled with poor political decisions and other factors, as leading to these risks.
Wide income inequality, poor government, ethnic tensions, low levels of social provision and a history of unrest were other contributors.
“Economic distress is almost a necessary condition for serious social or political instability, but it is not a sufficient one,” he said on The Economist website.
The EIU, he said, noted a “deep sense” of dissatisfaction with the political elite and institutions in emerging markets.
Nearly half (43%) of the countries surveyed were set as high or very high risk, including Bangladesh and Cambodia.

While most people enjoy peace and stability, a certain quarters (especially the opposition) would be overjoyed if they are able to proof to the world that Malaysia is not what they think - we are not that safe, its a police country, the crime rate is high while streets demo is on the rise.

Hmmm.... streets demo... Malaysians are getting better and better... aren't we proud of it!