There is no need for an oppressive government because Malaysians are already disciplined, said former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday.

According to him, Malaysians may not be happy but they will not resort to violence either.

Speaking at the International Conference of Human Security in Kuala Lumpur last night, he said Malaysia is a lot more secured than many other countries despite its multiracial and multi-religious composition.

"The races are different in terms of religion, language, culture and even economic well-being. They are very different and they should really be fighting each other if (the) violent culture is in their minds," he said.

Touching on the 1969 race riots, he said the clashes did not flare up and was contained in Kuala Lumpur.

"The leaders were able to reconcile with each other and persuade their followers to accept that the declaration is not to fight and kill each other but to work together, cooperate and concentrate on developing the country," he added.

Anger is spreading

From a global perspective, Mahathir warned that the possibility of war with Iran is fueling anger and the world is set to become more insecure.

"The Iranians have said they are training 40,000 people who are prepared to blow themselves up," he added.

In relation to the war on Iraq and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, he said Western occupation and invasion of a country to resolve that nation's disputes is wrong.

"People will keep hitting back if they believe they have a right to independence. Until they get it, they will continue to blow themselves up because their enemies humiliate them and they will not take things lying down," he added.

He said certain measures need to be taken in order to make the situation in that region better.

"Unless there is no more denial on the part of the big powers that a military solution is not always the right solution and accept that people have a right to their country, they will keep fighting.

"You have to learn to negotiate and accept that people have pride and people have a right to their country and if you take their country, they will fight," he added.

The conference was jointly organised by the Institute of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's Thoughts and the International Committee of the Red Cross.