Opposition parties like to paint a picture of doom and gloom for Malaysia, but in reality the country is peaceful and its citizens happy, says Multimedia and Communications Minister Salleh Said Keruak. 

He drew this conclusion from the fact that Malaysia had placed among the top 50 countries in two world rankings for peace and happiness this year.

Malaysia was ranked 29th among 163 countries in the Global Peace Index 2017, and 42nd among 155 countries in the World Happiness Report 2017.

"(The Global Peace Index 2017) placed Malaysia as the fifth most peaceful country in the Asia-Pacific after New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Singapore. 

"(As for the World Happiness Report 2017), doesn't it show that our happiness level and prosperity is not what is being portrayed by the opposition parties?" asked Salleh.

Salleh said that the research methodology in such reports utilised an extensive range of factors before coming to their conclusions. 

In particular, the World Happiness Report calculates a country’s happiness ranking based on indicators such as gross domestic product, life expectancy, generosity, social support, freedom, and corruption.

Salleh noted that although the figures looked promising, Malaysia had much room for improvement.

"We are trying to (improve). Unfortunately, despite our efforts to move forward, the hysterical opposition has said that the country is weak and moving backwards.

"I hope that this article will show the true picture of the rakyat’s peace and happiness. The data shows that our successes are being distorted by the opposition," he said.