Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad today defended his declaration that Malaysia is an "Islamic state", despite fierce criticism from a Chinese-based opposition party, Catholics and hardline Muslims.

Mahathir told a seminar that Malaysia, where Muslims make up just 60 percent of the population, was a model for other Islamic nations and had a responsibility to portray the religion as tolerant and moderate.

"Even if it's not stated that Malaysia is an Islamic state in the constitution, the fact is that the world accepts, we accept that Malaysia is an Islamic country," Mahathir said.

He accused the hardline Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) and the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP) of trying to whip up controversy over the issue for political gain.