Dr M tells media how he fought corruption

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic) today claimed that corruption in Malaysia is greater now than when he was in office.

Explaining why, Malaysia's longest serving prime minister was quoted as saying that the law was enforced smoothly and without delay during his 22 years in office, compared to the current state of affairs.

"Quick action should be taken by the government on cases involving corruption and bribery as the public's perception is important," Dr Mahathir said.

"Corruption depended heavily on the law and the punishment meted out. One of the most important factors to battle corruption is the expediting of the investigation process," Dr Mahathir was reported as saying by news portal Malaysiakini.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur today after attending a forum ahead of the Umno assembly which begins on Wednesday.

Dr Mahathir had been asked to comment on the issue as the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index Report is due out tomorrow.

The former Umno president also said money politics was on the rise, as seen in the recent party elections.

"Although the voting format has been changed, but money politics is still alive and kicking," Dr Mahathir said, declining to elaborate further.

Instead, he said he had an idea on how to combat corruption within Umno and Malaysia.

"I have an idea and I will seek out a platform to explain and expand on the idea," Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.

He also defended democracy in Malaysia, arguing that while it was not perfect, it was still better than having people take to the streets.

"Malaysia's democracy may not be perfect, but an imperfect democracy is still better than the people taking to the streets and killing one another."

He was adamant that Malaysia's democracy was stable and capable of functioning as a social counterweight for all races and communities.

However, Dr Mahathir said Putrajaya should own up to its mistakes and work on improving itself to develop Malaysia.

"The essence of democracy is not to achieve victory, but to accept defeat," he said in his speech at the Umno International Forum 2013.