Chor foon Tang Centre for Policy Research and International Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia   Universiti Sains Malaysia Universiti Sains Malaysia USM, Penang 11800 Malaysia   tcfoon@usm.my             JEL Areas: E2 : Macroeconomics: Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment: General (includes Measurement and Data) F4 : Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance: General