Former Malaysian premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has made an emotional defence of his record on fighting corruption after critics accused him of failing to crack down on the issue during his 22-year tenure.

Mahathir said in interviews with Malaysian journalists on Monday that his campaign against corruption had at times driven him to tears.

"What have I not done? I have cried, I have recited prayers... I have done many things. I have told them not to get involved in corruption," he told The Sun newspaper in comments confirmed by his office.

Corruption remains a festering issue in Malaysia, forcing Mahathir's successor Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to launch an eradication drive which has had disappointing results.

Mahathir, who stepped down from power in 2003, said he had urged Malaysians to reject corruption because it had the potential to destroy the country by restraining development and hiking prices.

"I think it's not fair to say that I have done nothing," he said, responding to a weekend article by a columnist who accused him of failing to introduce effective law enforcement to tackle graft.

"I have always maintained that you cannot fight corruption if it becomes part of the culture," he said.

Pak Lah's top priority

Mahathir also reacted angrily last month to allegations aired on the BBC by his sacked former deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, who said he had been slandered and accused of being corrupt.

Mahathir's party, the faction-ridden ruling Umno, has been accused of graft for years.

Abdullah has declared the fight against corruption a major priority for his administration, but critics have expressed doubt over his ability or willingness to take on powerful forces within the government and Umno.

Last month Abdullah denied his campaign against graft was flagging, but insisted that arrests would not be made simply to boost his popularity.