KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak created a stir at the closing ceremony of the Khazanah Megatrends Forum 2012 when he stopped midway during his speech to ask the audience about a strange sound in the background.

“Where is that sound coming from?” he asked, referring to the sound of chirping birds that could be heard in a packed hotel ballroom.

The startled audience burst into laughter upon realising that the sound had been piped into the hall speakers by the organisers.

The sound-effect was created to provide a suitable ambience as Najib was scheduled to launch Khazanah's mangrove conservation efforts immediately after his address.

He then displayed another side to his personality by whipping out his handphone from his pocket and showing it to the audience.

“I hope the sound isn't coming from my phone. As you can see, I have the latest phone, the iPhone 5. But just to be balanced, I also have a Samsung,” Najib said, leaving the delegates in stitches.

In his address, he said Budget 2013 was based on the country's continued growth, low unemployment and a healthy banking sector.

“These strengths allowed the Government to deliver a Budget that was responsive to the people's needs,” he added.

He later launched a book produced by Khazanah on Johor mangroves titled Sandpipers and Mudskippers A Journey Through the Ramsar Mangroves of Iskandar Malaysia aimed at conserving the three mangroves in Johor which are protected under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

The two-day event, which ended yesterday, discussed key economic shifts occurring globally.

• Profit taking on Maybank, Genting sends KLCI into the red
• Alliance Research 'Neutral' on IOI Corp, ups TP to RM5.41
• Petronas Chemicals to decide on Gebeng plant by year-end
• Petronas stocks, KLK drag KLCI into the red
• KPJ Healthcare Q1 earnings down 24.7% to RM25m
• Boustead Q1 earnings down 30.9% on weaker CPO prices
• More dividends from Pacific & Orient
• CIMB, Tenaga up as KLCI again eyes 1,800 (Update)
• Bumi Armada advances to high of RM4.14 on firmer earnings
• Samchem eyes Vietnam, to contribute 30% of group revenue
• BOJ keeps policy on hold; Kiuchi proposes looser price target timeframe
• Suria Capital, SBC Corp in RM1.8b Sabah JV
• CIMB advances in early trade, Dayang in focus
• RHB Research downgrades Dayang Enterprise to Neutral
• Alliance Research ups CIMB Group’s target price to RM9.64

• Rinehart loses $7 bn but still Australia's richest
• Syria opposition urges rebels to join Qusayr battle
• US experts reject murder theory in scientist's death
• Polish mine launches salt photo contest
• Thunder star Durant pledges $1mil for tornado relief
• Amazon plans greenhouse-style headquarters

• Injured Murray withdraws from French Open
• Ramy wins fiery battle of words and deeds
• Low Wee Wern fails to clear opening round again in British Open
• Teenager Addeen gets massive boost Down Under
• Hosts Malaysia make a tame exit at the hands of Germany
• Denmark not prepared to take on mighty China just yet
• Japanese upset Danes and Joo-bong is all smiles
• Dane loves to unwind with her Modern Family
• Tommy not afraid to play for country despite loss
• It’s the last $traw thanks to the BWF
• BAM: There will be no more sweeping under the carpet
• Cyclists give the thumbs up to world-class velodrome
• Australian Evans says Giro dream still alive
• Savinder Kaur is new middle distance queen after 1,500m victory
• Elena walks her way to a new record

• Please wait.

• Sarawak leaders triple their salaries
• HR manager laments declining standard of English
• Loan sharks making life hell for retiree
• Leave troubles behind with irresistible AirAsia deals
• EPF invests more abroad, investment assets exceed half-a-trillion ringgit
• Samchem eyes Vietnam, to contribute 30% of group revenue
• State minister wants teen’s marriage to 40-year-old nullified
• Sarawak DUN, Cabinet members to get 300% raise in monthly remuneration
• Suria Capital, SBC Corp in RM1.8b Sabah JV
• Green Packet ready to sell some assets