Mahathir, Bolkiah talk crisis

Mahathir, Bolkiah talk crisis

KUDAT, Malaysia (AFP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said
yesterday he discussed the Asian economic crisis and regional
cooperation with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during an
overnight visit to the sultanate.

"We made assessments about the economic situation and the kind
of cooperation between ASEAN countries," he told reporters on his
arrival in the eastern state of Sabah, which shares a border with
the oil-rich country.

Mahathir said he briefed the sultan on his recent visits to
Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore, adding that he was also
briefed on the Brunei leader's recent visit to Singapore.

"Both leaders talked at length on current issues affecting the
region," The Star reported from the Brunei capital Bandar Seri
Begawan.

The newspaper quoted Mahathir's aides as saying that the talks
with the Brunei ruler, one of the world's richest men, focussed
on ways the sultanate could assist in the region's recovery.