Mahathir attacks pollution

Mahathir attacks pollution

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad
warned Southeast Asian nations yesterday that failure to combat
cross-border pollution would hinder the region's economic
progress.

Mahathir called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) to adopt processes that were "sustainable, clean and
environmental-friendly to avoid costs associated with
environmental degradation".

"The proximity of our borders requires that we address the
problem of pollution from both the national and regional
perspectives," he said when opening the 29th ASEAN economic
ministers meeting.

"Failure to do so will most certainly cost us a lot and will
retard our progress," he warned.