More than 100 people turned up at the Subang Skypark to welcome former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the bulk of whom were Perkasa leaders and members.

However, this did not dissuade former law minister Zaid Ibrahim from arguing that it is the quality and not the quantity of those present that matters.

Zaid, who said he had come to welcome a "great national leader", conceded that the number was far smaller compared to the time of the leadership crisis in 2008 when Mahathir was campaigning for Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's resignation.

Nevertheless, the former minister believes that millions of Malaysians, including those in Umno, are supporting Mahathir.

"It is not the number but the quality of people present here.

"I think even the Umno members know (the truth) but the fear culture in Umno is too thick.

"If they are too brave they would have been sacked like me," he told reporters.

Zaid has openly backed Mahathir in the latter's quest to remove Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He has also been a fierce critic of Najib, likening the prime minister to an emperor and France's King Louis XIV .

In a Twitter post this afternoon, Zaid noted that the mainstream media were not present to cover Mahathir’s return.

"I am in Subang to welcome Tun M (Mahathir). TV3 and Media Prima are not here," he said.

Mahathir and his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Ali, returned from Mecca after performing the umrah.