Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that leaders should be given longer periods to run countries to prevent a situation of anarchy.

Asia's longest-serving leader, who has ruled Malaysia for more than two decades, said nothing would be achieved if countries keep changing leaders every few years.

"I believe that you need time. I don't believe in constitutions which provide for two-year terms as presidents or prime ministers," he told a Pacific Basin Economic Council meeting.

"Even four years is not enough, that's why I required 21 years. I don't know whether (I need) more," he said to laughter from the floor.

"You can be certain that when you limit the terms of a leader to four years or even to two terms, it is not (enough) because in the second-term, he is regarded as a lame duck president. Nobody ever follows him because he is going to be out anyway," he said.

"These kind of things, trying to ensure that the person does not become a dictator (would) end up (with a country) having anarchy rather than a good government.

"Please give people time, that's my plea. They have given me time here but please give my colleagues in the other countries time to do the best they can."

'When time comes'

The 76-year-old Malaysian leader did not say when he would step down but added: "If I drop dead now, I would be classified as a man who is prime minister for life."

Mahathir, who will mark 21 years in office in July, last week said he had no intention of holding his position for life and that "when the time comes, I will have to go."

The premier, who has repeatedly said his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would replace him when he retires, said he wanted to relax and do the things he wanted to do.