Journalists in Malaysia, soon to be bereft of a prime minister who made news almost every time he opened his mouth, were apparently disappointed by Mahathir Mohamad's last parliamentary appearance today.

At a news conference afterwards, he was asked why his performance had been so "quiet".

Always willing to oblige, Mahathir replied: "You can make it loud. I can go out with a bang if you want, I can say nasty things. Ask me a nasty question, I will give you a nasty answer."

Nobody did, presumably having had enough of the international uproar over his recent criticism of Jews.

Report the truth

Instead, the man who has ruled Malaysia for the past 22 years was asked what advice he had for reporters ahead of his retirement Friday.

"Report the truth even if it is bad. Don't be a spin doctor, don't distort news, don't have your own agenda."

Mahathir has claimed repeatedly that his remark at an Islamic summit in mid-October that Jews rule the world had been taken out of context. - AFP