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Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today met former Indonesian dictator Suharto at his home.

Turkish and Malaysian businessmen need to forge new and stronger economic ties such as in the reconstruction of Iraq since existing business links between the two countries is negligible, says Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad reiterated in Islamabab yesterday that oil producing Islamic countries can use the black gold to protect Muslim nations worldwide from being oppressed

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo met with a Filipino sultan today in connection with the Philippines claim on Sabah. She told the Sultan that reclaiming the territory will take a "long, long time".

The US-made Air Tractor AT-802F has joined the race for a multi million-dollar contract to supply firefighting aircraft to Malaysia, a senior official said today.

Malaysia has been told to improve conditions at detention camps in keeping with international law. The Philippines investigation team is also probing allegations of sexual abuse of women detainees.