Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said today that the approach used by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi which are people friendly, open, against corrupt practices and stresses on human values have impressed foreign governments.

That approach had received positive reaction from abroad although Pak Lah had only taken over the leadership in October, he was quoted by Bernama as saying.

"That's the view of the international community and the reaction from abroad has been positive," he told reporters after meeting leaders of the Jelutong Umno division in Penang.

He said that foreign governments were also impressed with the continuity of leadership after the retirement of Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister, which had ensured national stability.

Singapore visit

He said the continuity of leadership had given confidence to foreign investors to maintain their investment in this country.

On the one-day visit to Singapore by the prime minister on Monday, Syed Hamid said although the visit did not have any particular agenda, it did not mean that the prime ministers of both countries would not hold bilateral discussions to improve relations between the two neighbouring countries.

He said the discussion would be crucial as Malaysia and Singapore maintained close relations in various aspects including tourism, economy, and investment and that there were many Malaysians working in Singapore.