Najib also pointed out trans-national crimes were also of great concern due to the geographical nature of South-East Asia where criminals take advantage to go in and out of hiding across borders as well as making attempts of contraband smuggling and money laundering through various means. "At the same time, we find ourselves faced with the less tangible, but doubly devastating peril of new infections and emerging diseases like SARS and avian influenza, and we grapple with problems of serious environmental degradation and pollution that affect our quality of life and our economic well-being," he said, adding individual countries have had to modify their domestic laws in order to effectively regulate a changing society. Najib also called for the three countries to push for greater regional cooperation on other issues that were important to the countries' future progress and prosperity as a region.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/442897