Umno supreme council member Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz has hailed the withdrawal of police escort for former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, saying it should have been done long ago.

Nazri, who is also tourism minister, said this was because Mahathir has been using police outriders to escort him to anti-government functions.

"He brought it upon himself. I don't think he should get escorts as he is bashing the government that is providing him this privilege.

"It (the withdrawal) should have been done long ago," he told journalists after visiting Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Buntal in Kuching today.