The following is an abstract of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's 10-minute speech while standing through the sunroof of a four-wheel-drive on returning from a three-week overseas holiday this morning.

I didn't think that one day I'll get such a reception [crowd claps and cheers wildly]. But when I was prime minister, there were more people (to receive me) [crowd laughs].

I am no longer allowed to meet people. What are they so afraid of? [crowd shouts: 'not scared, not scared']. Why are they scared of me? It's not that I can do anything [crowd laughs].

When I stepped down (as PM), I no longer get any praises. Back then, it was not just praises, but also great admiration. Now, when I wanted to speak to some people in England - cannot. I want to speak to former elected representatives in Kelantan, even that is banned.

They tell me not to speak to opposition (political) parties or NGOs. But they don't even give me a chance to speak to Umno people. If you have done is right, what's there to fear?

I don't ask for much. Just provide answers. Answer the questions, that's all. We ask them to reveal the proposal by Malaysia to sell sand and give airspace to Singapore. That, they did not reveal.

What was revealed were my letters (to Singaporean officials), which didn't contain much.

I was in London when the letters were apparently declassified. They should declassify lah the letter which I was talking about. I said, 'Declassify the offer (letter) by Malaysia to sell sand and airspace to Singapore.' That was not revealed. Not revealed.

Instead, what was brought up were old letters, letters which Singapore had long published. What declassification? It has already been declassified (by Singapore).

I just want to speak up - give me the chance to say a little bit. You have a lot of spokespersons, here and there, everywhere! [crowd: ' Tak boleh pakai' (useless)]

They can ignore my speeches, just like that. What's there to be afraid of? Give me the chance to speak to people from Umno [crowd cheers].

I'm not allowed to speak to them, (they are questioned) 'are you trying to meet the Tun?' Mubarak (Barisan Nasional veterans club) can't meet me either, tak mubarak (not blessed).

I can also keep bisu (quiet) and ask others to speak for me. But when others spoke against me on his (Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) behalf, he was silent - didn't say anything.

During the time of (first prime minister) Tunku Abdul Rahman, he wrote to The Star , he wrote books, he wrote all sort of things, he supported those who wanted to dethrone me, but I didn't do anything to him. He held a gathering of 10,000 people, even that we didn't stop him.

Can't people come just to welcome me? I am sad lah .

What is there to hide? If what (you) do is correct, there's no need to hide. Dedahlah (expose it). Show the offer (of sand) to Singapore - that's what I asked for.

We have to understand, we have to follow the way of the government. But don't just say kami sokong (we support). Don't sokong everything - mana titah, patih junjung (your wish is my command).

The government is telus (transparent), open. Anyone can say anything. (But) today's (event) won't make it to the newspapers. I can talk, (however) I am talking to myself.

I think this is a free country. Tapi (but) ( New Straits Times deputy chairperson) Kalimullah (Hassan) controls. Tingkat empat (PM's advisers) control.

[The following are two questions posed by journalists]

Does everything boil down to a difference of opinion?

No. This is a matter of issues. It is not a matter of me going to see him (Abdullah) and shaking his hand and everything is over. It's a matter of (differences on) issues. The issues must be tackled. Why did you (Abdullah's government) offer one million cubic metres of sand (to Singapore)?

Is it true that you offered or not? Itu saya tanya (this was what I asked). I ask for the letter which shows that I approved the sale of sand. There was none. I looked at all the declassified letters [laughs], nothing in the letters said that I gave anything (to Singapore). But (Foreign Minister) Syed Hamid (Albar) apparently said that I ordered (the sale of sand) ... I've picked a foreign minister who does not know how to read letters.

What's your greatest fear if these issues are not tackled?

The country is already not doing well. We have lost respect from the developing world. Of course, America, Britain, Singapore and Australia laud us. If we have to ampu (kowtow) them so that they praise us, what for?

Let's do things right, even if the country that praises us is just Burkina Faso. I'm not looking for people to pat my back.