Najib Razak is a prime minister who does not want to miss out in getting the latest gadget in the market.

Having an Apple iPhone 3GS, though not the latest iPhone 4, which is not available in Malaysia yet, Najib said this smart phone can assist him as a "walking dictionary" at any time.

NONE Expressing his hope that innovation will flourish in optimum eco-system, the prime minister said facts and information are readily and widely available.

"Just look at wikipedia, the world's largest encyclopedia, that is available online and is totally free for anyone to use.

"Wikipedia is a good example of the (American) economist (Joseph Alois) Schumpeter's idea of "creative destruction", the traditional encyclopedia no longer holds the appeal that it once did.

"And even the dictionary is no longer that useful and in fact, with my iPhone, I have a walking dictionary with me at all times," he said when addressing students and participants at the launch of the Malaysia: Innovation Nation National Convention at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology here today.

Who knows Najib, who will turn 57 in three days, will get the latest Apple iPad as a birthday present.

But someone has to go down south as the iPad tablet, billed as a "magical and revolutionary product", will be launched in nine more countries, including Singapore, on Friday.

The other eight countries are Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands and New Zealand.

- Bernama