PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad defended Malaysia’s record on democracy and his past tenure as prime minister at the Oxford Union yesterday, where his critics had branded him a dictator.

Dr Mahathir, the first Malaysian and Asean leader to be invited to address the forum, in addressing allegations that Malaysia is less democratic, started by giving a political background of the country and the road it took that led to the change of government in last May’s 14th general election.

“The election system in Malaysia is proof that we are a democratic country,” the prime minister said.

“Many will still dispute the election system, but what I would like to emphasise is that after Malaysia has achieved independence and gone through 14 general elections, future elections will receive much fewer disputes compared to past ones,” he said during the address, which was carried live this morning by Astro Awani.

He said Malaysia’s system of democracy is similar to other countries in choosing its leaders.

The prime minister, however, did not deny that draconian and undemocratic laws, like the now repealed Internal Security Act (ISA), were once on the statute books.

“There may be some things that did not conform to the democratic ideals, such as the ISA law.”

He said the law was all about tackling national security.

The ISA, enacted after Malaya gained independence from Britain in 1957, was designed to combat the communist insurgency that began in 1948 and simmered on until 1989.

It was a preventive detention law that allows for detention without trial or charges. It was repealed by Najib Razak’s government on September 15, 2011, as part of a pledge to bring Malaysia’s laws closer to international norms.

But critics point out that Najib’s government still had legal instruments that allowed for detention without trial in the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

On critics branding him a dictator, Dr Mahathir said he was unlikely one as he voluntarily resigned and allowed others to replace him.

“I just want to remind you that in the history, no dictators had resigned from power.

“A dictator will not usually resign or retire.”

The Oxford Union is a student debating society in the city of Oxford in the United Kingdom, with a majority of its members from the University of Oxford.

The Union has a tradition of hosting debates and speakers stretching back to 1823. – January 19, 2019.