Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today dismissed suggestions that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad was in support of the Bersih 4 rally.

This, Zahid said, was because Mahathir only visited the protest at Dataran Merdeka for a mere "six minutes" last night.

As such, Zahid ( photo ) said the elder statesman's presence there was a "non-issue", according to Bernama .

The deputy prime minister said this while officiating the Sungai Besar Umno division meeting today.

Meanwhile, Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak criticised Mahathir for turning up at Dataran Merdeka yesterday, stating that he was indirectly encouraging people to participate in the street demonstration.

Salleh said this in contrast to Mahathir's stance when he was prime minister where he cracked down on street demonstrations.

“For me, Mahathir’s presence at the rally shows that he agrees with Bersih and what they do. That encourages people to participate in street demonstrations.

“It means that he has changed his stance,” he was quoted as saying by The Star Online .

Mahathir, together with his wife Siti Hasmah, made a surprise visit to the Bersih 4 camp site on the outskirts of Dataran Merdeka last night.

Dr M was opposed to street demo

Meanwhile, Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has described as disappointing and regrettable, the presence of Mahathir at the Bersih 4 gathering yesterday, reports Bernama .

This is because, he said, the former prime minister was very strongly opposed to road demonstrations, especially when Anwar Ibrahim was sacked as deputy prime minister.

There were large demonstrations by a group calling itself the 'reformasi' group.

Ismail Sabri ( photo ), who is also an Umno supreme council member, said that Mahathir had regarded groups carrying out road demonstrations as evil.

He said Mahathir's presence at the Bersih 4 gathering yesterday is very shocking and disappointing.

"Finally, Tun himself, a staunch opponent of road demonstrations is involved in one," he told reporters after opening the Beluran Umno division delegates meeting in Sabah today.