Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad believes that the current government will not be embarrassed by the ongoing conference on war crimes although the aims may contradict the official position on certain countries.

"This government accepts freedom of speech and accepts criticism. It is an open government," he said in his usual sarcasm during an interview at his Perdana Leadership Foundation office in Putrajaya last Friday.

"That is what the government claims, so (it) must be prepared to listen to voices of dissent. But if they don't want (to listen), of course they can put a stop to this meeting. You can't do anything (about that)," he said with a wry smile.

Mahathir was responding to a question if his campaign to criminalise war would embarrass Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Mahathir wants US president George W Bush to be tried as a war criminal, but the Malaysian government is a strong ally of the US administration.

The foundation is organising a three-day conference cum exhibition titled 'Expose War Crimes: Criminalise War' at the Putra World Trade Centre.

Many eminent anti-war activists, internationally renown panel of speakers and Iraqi war victims will address the delegates. The conference ends tomorrow.

'I didn't shut you down'

Mahathir explained that there are no government representatives at the conference as "we don't want them to be embarrassed by the kind of stand that we take".

He has been involved in a running battle with Abdullah over alleged economic mismanagement, corruption and nepotism. He has also claimed that Abdullah was using the media to muzzle criticism.

Asked how he would react if the government decides to stop the conference, Mahathir said: "During my time, there were lots of complaints and campaigns against me, even people who stood against me, I didn't put a stop to that.

"They campaigned, they said nasty things about me, even in papers, even malaysiakini , you were not very kind to me before, did I close you down? I told you don't attend my press conference, that's all."

An excerpt from the interview:

Malaysiakini : But you did call us a traitor which we think was quite unwarranted.

Mahathir: That's my feeling. You were saying something that was not fair.

Malaysiakini : There was also the police raid .

Mahathir: That's my freedom of speech. As much as you can criticise me, I can criticise you.

The interview was the veteran politician's second with malaysiakini . In Part 1 yesterday, Mahathir spoke about the conference and reasons for setting up a war crimes tribunal to be based in Kuala Lumpur.

Part 2, which will appear tomorrow, will include the acerbic statesman's views on Abdullah's leadership and economic management, the sidelining of national carmaker Proton and the lack of maintenance in Putrajaya.

Watch a seven-minute video below .

Dr M: Bush enjoys killing people

Q&A: Tribunal not a kangaroo court