SHAH ALAM — Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad admitted on Sunday (March 27) that he was a "dictator" during his 22-year tenure.

He claimed, however, that people did not rally against him unlike the Save Malaysia movement headed by him that calls for Prime Minister Najib Razak’s resignation.

"I also was a dictator before. But that is all right, people did not demonstrate against me before," Dr Mahathir told a press conference here after the Kongres Rakyat 2016 forum organised by the Save Malaysia movement.

Thousands of Malaysians, however, did hold mass protests during the 1998 “Reformasi” wave, calling for Dr Mahathir’s resignation after the prime minister sacked his then-deputy Anwar Ibrahim on allegations of corruption and sodomy.

Dr Mahathir said on Sunday that the Save Malaysia movement aimed to get a million signatures by the end of the year to pressure the rulers to take a stand on the political situation in the country.

"We must show the rulers that we want Najib to be out. This declaration should be signed by all including NGO, parties and the worker unions."

"People said I should bring a lorry. I only know how to bring a motorcar, but if need be, I will drive a lorry to the Palace. We want to show the rulers how the people are unhappy with Najib," Dr Mahathir said.

Dr Mahathir, who was prime minister from 1981 to 2003, said he had supported making Mr Najib prime minister because he regarded Najib’s father, Abdul Razak, a hero. MALAY MAIL ONLINE