Really? We're that good?

From NST: Our workers third in productivity:

KEPALA BATAS: The country's workforce has been ranked third among Asian countries in terms of productivity, ahead of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Based on the Global Competitiveness Report for 2007/2008, the salaries and productivity level of the local workforce was ranked just below Singapore and Hong Kong, scoring 5.6 out of seven.

National Productivity Corporation (NPC) director-general Datuk Nik Zainiah Nik Abdul Rahman said the report involved 131 countries and was conducted by the Swiss-based World Economic Forum.

Sure or not? Was this study conducted by the same people who said our gross national income per capita is US$10,320? Even the DG of the NPC was in such disbelief that she said that there needs to be a more robust method of measurement of productivity.

More on Malaysia's awesomeness from NST Spotlight: Malaysia's rural health service second to none:

Malaysia has one of the best rural health services in the world, according to the International Health Organisation. The services being offered, including through embracing such new technologies as telemedicine, have helped rural folk enjoy the latest treatments, writes ANNIE FREEDA CRUEZ, JASWINDER KAUR and ALINA SIMON.

IT may come as a surprise to Malaysians to learn that there is a health clinic every five kilometres of the country. And that more than 95 per cent of the rural population have access to a doctor.

It can be said that every Malaysian has access to good primary healthcare. In many countries, rural areas are often neglected but not so in Malaysia.

There are 2,965 clinics and 151 mobile clinics in rural areas in the country, which is why Malaysia has won kudos for its rural health programmes from international agencies such as the International Health Organisation.

In the provision of primary healthcare, the Health Ministry has in fact achieved its target ratio of clinics to population: there is one health clinic or centre for every 20,000 people while there is one community or rural clinic for every 4,000 people.

Hmmm... one clinic every five km. Sure or not? Where are these clinics located? Pre-election news is so optimistic.