Malaysian journalists and news agencies have to be more accurate and precise. Most of the people take statements made in newspapers as a fact, which is why it is crucial to double-check all data before making farfetched statements.

I refer to a series of articles printed in Malaysian news papers stating that Malaysia has one of the 'highest standards of life' in the world.

The New Straits Times wrote a particularly disturbing article titled Malaysian quality of life among the best . According to the NST , Malaysia ranked 36th among countries in the world in a 'Life Quality Index'.

However, there was no reference to an organisation or a company that produced the ranking. Thus, readers had no point of reference to estimate its quality. Although the components comprising the index were mentioned, without knowing the exact source of data, estimating its reliability is impossible.

Based on one of the most reputable and reliable measurements of life quality - the UN Human Development Index - in 2004, Malaysia ranked 59th , which is considered of a medium development and definitely not 'among the best in the world'.

Editor's note: The NST report is based on an answer given by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mustapa Mohamed to a question in Parliament.