From wiki – Group of Seven (G7), a group of seven industrialized nations of the world, formed in 1976 when Canada joined the Group of Six (United States of America, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom); now known as G8 (with Russia)

The key word is “industrialized”. I guess it also takes into account the geo-political considerations. Also, notice that all the countries are “white” countries; Japan having been considered an honorary “white”. It is a matter of time before it becomes G9 with the inclusion of China.

Alvin- i am an ordinary citizen concerntration on My OWN BUSINESS. I would honestly like to see some changes in the political situation at current stage. During TDM era, non-malays could enjoy business ties with the malays in working on projects and sharing the profits fairly., now?? 50% this 70% that, 30% must give par value instead of market, 30% free, 7% discount, places of santuary torn down, Place of Worship in Shoplots, Bangalows,etc. If it continues, probably I would be a MUSLIM so I could survive and call myself ABDULLAH. This is not freedom, your choices are being reduced.

GOdamSingh – I dont need to study political science to be a Politician, I need to be a CARING CITIZEN, A RESPONSIBLE PERSON, A FATHER to A CHILD, A HUSBAND to A WIFE and THE PEOPLE will elect me if they BELIEVE I can bring Better CHANGES to their LIFE. Still I have to start somewhere..why not here.

Yes, for 50 years BN rules the Country and for 50 years DAP bark at them.. what is new? YOU all want changes, reduce majority of BN, Cry DONT vote for BN! For 50 years, the same tune.. for 50 years, the opposition is in disarray… WHY become a nuisance like fly? Maybe I am naive about the whole concept of DAP, maybe I am ignorant about their missions..Maybe I am not meant for being in DAP.. then I go back to Minding MY OWN BUSINESS..at least I make $$ doing it then trying and hoping DAP would make a real effort in changing the political situation..HECK! Maybe I join PAS..if they could be the alternative government, and DAP still, forever a barking dog.

Not necessarily, but I’m just wondering why Italy and Russia are part of G7/G8 when their social welfare is definitely way inferior to that of Scandinavia and north western Europe.

Or the question I should ask is what are the main criteria in evaluating a G7/G8 nation? Can anyone please enlighten me on this?

To me they are all the same in different clothings. Outsiders will say to us, Get a Life, Malaysia! We seems to be stuck in terminology with a lost identity. Happy 50th birthday!

mendela – yes the Nordic countries (N, S, D, F and Iceland) can speak a few languages. But that may not be the reason for their relative prosperity. India has a few hunderd languages (and most of them are as foreign to each other as you can get) and even more dialects. But this does not make it rich.

The other common denominator among the Nordic countries is that they all have secular rule. And they are all ranked among the Top 25 richest per capita GDP in the world. Religions does not factor very much in these government and policies are not made by religious bigots.

In fact, I would extend this to most of the rich countries in the world – they all have secular rule. Contrast this to all the failed states in the world – they are all ruled by religious regimes.

Rankings > GDP per capita – purchasing power parity (Top 30)
Rank Country Value / Unit
1. Luxembourg $55,100
2. Norway $37,800
3. United States $37,800
4. Bermuda $36,000
5. Cayman Islands $35,000
6. San Marino $34,600
7. Switzerland $32,700
8. Denmark $31,100
9. Iceland $30,900
10. Austria $30,000
11. Canada $29,800
12. Ireland $29,600
13. Belgium $29,100
14. Australia $29,000
15. Hong Kong $28,800
16. Netherlands $28,600
17. Japan $28,200
18. Aruba $28,000
19. United Kingdom $27,700
20. France $27,600
21. Germany $27,600
22. Finland $27,400
23. Monaco $27,000
24. Sweden $26,800
25. Italy $26,700
26. Falkland Islands $25,000
27. Liechtenstein $25,000
28. Singapore $23,700
29. Taiwan $23,400
30. United Arab Emirates $23,200

http://www.geographyiq.com/ranking/ranking_GDP_per_capita_purchasing_power_parity_dall.htm

Any way, its much ado about nothing. Makes no difference in everyones life. It’s still NOT MY language, and its of no importance to the rest of the world or even malaysians what its called. I use this bahasa ROJAK when necessary.

G8 countries must be relatively big in size in their GNP.

does a country have to be a member of G7 or G8 to be rich & prosperous ?

I’ve known a lot of Scandinavians during my uni days and read abit abt their culture and countries, and let me tell everyone here, their welfare and quality of life is even way better than the US or any of the developed countries.

So what say u ? :)

The reason. This has to be kept a “secret” from the Malays as it will hurt their pride. Remember, election is near and the BN needs non-Malay votes, so let only the non-Malays know about it.
After the election there is nothing to stop the flip-flop government from reverting to Bahasa Melayu or even to Bahasa Bumiputra.
As for me, “Who cares?”
After all I am a non Bumiputra, second class citizen. Does it matter what the national language is ,when the government does not recognize me as a full-fledged citizen with equal rights with the others.

You said that Scandinavia are among the richest nations in the world but I’m just curious why they are not part of the G7 or G8 nations?

Strictly speaking in Chinese, Bahasa Melayu is called “ma lai yu” while Bahasa Malaysia is called “ma lai xi ya yu”. No Chinese ever bothers to distinguish between the two. People from Mainland China and Taiwan often refer to Bahasa Melayu or Malaysia as “ma lai yu” which is short for “ma lai xi ya yu”. So I’m just wondering what’s the big deal here. It’s just they and their BM, toilets and what not.

If you look at it critically, there is a strong message there.

The plan is to win more seats that’s all.