A refusal by the United States to renew student visas for 150 Malaysians is the price the country has to pay for being Islamic, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said today.

"When we hold to what is true, there is definitely a price to pay. We just accept it," Mahathir told a news conference.

He was responding to reports that the US had barred 150 male Muslim students from continuing their university education there, following stricter visa restrictions.

Mahathir said the government would not oppose the decision or file a complaint with the US.

"It's their country, I suppose they have the right. We also have our own rules for those coming to our country.