Mahathir praises Myanmar junta on return from visit
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (AFP) - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad returned Tuesday from a week-long visit to Myanmar and praised the military junta's development efforts.
Mahathir, quoted by Bernama news agency, said the purpose of his visit was to obtain first-hand information on the situation there.
"There were reports which we had obtained from other sources which showed that things were seemingly bad," he said.
In fact, he said, the Myanmar government was trying to develop the country and its people, especially rural residents.
The United States and European Union have imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar in protest at its human rights record.
Mahathir said Myanmar has invited more Malaysian investment.
"They would like Malaysia to study the possibility of investing in Myanmar for the processing of raw materials, including fisheries," he told a press conference.
The country, he said, offered much investment potential and Malaysia could buy a variety of agricultural produce.
Mahathir's visit coincided with one by the UN special envoy to Myanmar, Razali Ismail, who is a former Malaysian diplomat.
The two trips, while not officially linked, raised suggestions that Malaysia could play a key role in breaking the political deadlock between the junta and the oppostion.
Mahathir gave no indication Tuesday that he had played any political role during his visit.
Razali confirmed that the junta has held secret talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
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