Malaysians must have the aptitude to differentiate between 'glass and jewel' if they wished to enjoy continued prosperity, said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today.

He also warned that the democratic process can have devastating effects if not applied carefully and Malaysia's system had often courted criticism from European nations.

While some Malaysians were embarrassed by these criticisms, he said Malaysians must realise that the democracy practised here was for the good of the country and her people.

"The country and its people should not be sacrificed for democracy. We've seen how liberal democracies have destroyed cultures, morals and religions.

"We need not legalise the destructions in the name of democracy. We should take what is good and discard the bad," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

The former premier said this in his acceptance speech after being conferred a honorary doctorate in Political Science and Government by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, who is UiTM Chancellor, conferred the doctorate at the university's commemorative convocation.

Be wise

Meanwhile, Mahathir said the people should be wise in political knowledge if they wished to enjoy prosperity from the power they have to elect a government in a democratic system of governance.

He noted that government and politics cannot be separated, and added that an inefficient government was the result of unhealthy politics.

Mahathir said the smooth conduct of general elections and formation of government in Malaysia could give the false impression that the political process and democratic administration here was easy.

He said democracy was a difficult system and exposed to the possibilities of corruption, chaos and anarchy.

Killings and all sorts of crimes that occurred in several developing countries which tried to practise democratic system were proof of how difficult and dangerous democratic practices can be, he added.

The 77-year-old former premier stepped down last November and was succeeded by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

During his 22-year-tenure, Mahathir had often gone on the offensive against Western countries for their criticism of Malaysia.