Flu breaks PM's schedule

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been forced to cancel several engagements in Malaysia and Britain due to a bout of flu but will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which begins in Edinburgh on Friday, his office says.

A spokesman said Dr Mahathir was 'recovering well' but needed more rest.

Dr Mahathir was scheduled to speak at three functions in London, including the Commonwealth Business Forum, where his proposed subject was the promotion of trade and investment, but he will now fly directly to Edinburgh.

His determination to attend the summit is thought to be tied to his desire to have delegates discuss ways of protecting their economies from currency attacks.

Dr Mahathir has repeatedly attacked foreign currency 'manipulators' following the recent turmoil in Asian financial markets, which saw the Malaysian dollar and other currencies decline sharply.

His calls for the regulation of currency trading have further depressed the Malaysian dollar and share prices on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.

Concerns were voiced about the health of Dr Mahathir, 71, last week after coughing spells disrupted his speech at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations' meeting. It is the second time he has come down with flu in the past two months.