He said: "FDI has been a major engine for the rapid economic growth of many Southeast Asian countries, but the success of these economies has been achieved at the expense of the environment.

"Lax environmental policies and lenient regulations have encouraged foreign investment in industries which pollute and damage the environment.

"But this does not have to continue. This research shows that the conventional wisdom that FDI is a key factor in sustained economic growth may provide an incomplete picture.

"It is clear from our analysis that the effects of FDI on the growth of Malaysian productivity may be transitory rather than permanent."

Malaysia attracted 94million US dollars' worth of FDI in 1970, 934million in 1980 and 3,788million in 2000.

But like fellow asean-5 countries Indonesia. the Philippines. Singapore and Thailand. the country has het rising pollution-levels seen often as a result of the gestage inflow of FDI.

Lee said his research suggested the ASEAN-5 countries could afford to turn their back on polluting industries and do more to power their own sustained growth.

He said: "Energy conservation and strict environmental regulations may temporarily harm the expansion of the economy.

"But it is now clear that the appropriate response to environmental problems will not prevent long-term expansion if these countries invest in their people, new technology and infrastructure rather than adopting weak environmental regulations and enforcement which may attract polluting FDI that has the potential to actually harm the country in the long-term."

- Ends -

Notes to editors:

The Globalisation and Economic Policy Centre (GEP), based at the University of Nottingham, is a major international centre studying the impacts of globalisation and economic policy. GEP has a prestigious international reputation, with its academics advising the World Bank, the WTO, the OECD and the Commonwealth. GEP opened its Malaysia research centre at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, 30km from Kuala Lumpur, in January 2008.

The University of Nottingham is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 70 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and Times Higher (THES) World University Rankings.

It provides innovative and top quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research, and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by The Times as Britain's "only truly global university", it has invested continuously in award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia.

Van since 2003 its van Twice teaching academics have won Nobelprijzen research and. The University has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007 (Innovation - School of Pharmacy).

Its students are much in demand from 'blue-chip' employers. Van three years in succession. van de Vrije onderneming Students van Winners of in for accomplished current holder of UK Graduate of the Year. they and are van engineers. entrepreneurs. van artists. scientists. innovators and fundraisers. Nottingham graduates consistently excel in business, the media, the arts and sport. Undergraduate and postgraduate degree completion rates are amongst the highest in the United Kingdom.

More information is available from Martin Stott, Bulletin PR, +44 (0)115 9228264,  mstott@bulletinpr.co.uk; Mimi Rashid, PR/Communications Manager, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, +603 8924 8034, Mimi.Rashid@nottingham.edu.my; or Media Relations Manager Tim Utton in the University of Nottingham's Communications Office (UK) on +44 (0)115 846 8092, tim.utton@nottingham.ac.uk.