Mahathir defends govt's mega projects<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday
\ndefended his government's strategy of building so-called mega
\nprojects, saying they had benefitted Malaysia's people and were
\nnot extravagant.<\/p>\n
\"We do not indulge in mega projects just to pound our chest
\nand show off,\" Mahathir was quoted as saying by the national news
\nagency Bernama. \"They are important to national development.\"
\nMahathir made the comments at the launch of a new township in his
\nhome state of Kedah in northern Malaysia.<\/p>\n
In Kuala Lumpur, the four party opposition coalition condemned
\nthe government's decision last week to revive a multibillion
\ndollar dam project on Borneo island, saying it would have a
\ndisastrous impact on the region's ecology and indigenous people.<\/p>\n
\"The physical habitat and cultural lifestyles of the
\nindigenous communities in the area, the size of neighboring
\nSingapore would be altered dramatically,\" opposition leader said
\nin a joint statement.<\/p>\n
Since coming into power in 1981, Mahathir has ordered the
\nbuilding of mammoth projects including the Petronas Towers -- the
\nworld's tallest buildings -- a sprawling new airport and
\nPutrajaya, Malaysia's new administrative center which includes a
\nmajestic residence for himself.<\/p>\n
The 1997-98 Asian economic crisis which engulfed Malaysia and
\nthe rest of the region slowed but did not scuttle work on more
\nbig projects, which are often derided by the opposition as
\nunnecessary and waste of public funds.<\/p>",
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