PETALING JAYA: US President Barack Obama praised Malaysia as a country that is being propelled to the status of an advanced economy due to its vibrant entrepreneurship.

In his address at the UN General Assembly, Obama singled out Malaysia as a good example of a Muslim majority country where positive change was taking place that did not sacrifice on tradition and faith.

“We see it in Malaysia, where vibrant entrepreneurship is propelling a former colony into the ranks of advanced economies,” Obama said in his address.

He cited Malaysia as an example when talking about how countries of the Arab and Muslim world should focus on what he called the extraordinary potential of their people, especially the youth.

Addressing young people across the Muslim world, Obama said they proved that societies flourished when youths had the tools to succeed.

These tools included good schools, education in mathematics and science and an economy that nurtured creativity and entrepreneurship.

Obama said America would partner with countries and governments that promoted such a vision.

Apart from Malaysia, Obama also praised Indonesia, Senegal and Tunisia, where he praised secular and Islamist parties working together through a political process to produce a new constitution.

-thestar