Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has said he has no qualms meeting with NGOs but it must take place in a calm manner.

"I am always ready and committed to meet and dialogue with NGOs on matters pertaining to the country and society.

"However, such meetings must take place in a calm and good manner so that it can lead to a discussion beneficial to all of us," he said.

Najib also stressed on the importance of "sincerity" and "openness" in order to facilitate an effective discussion.

The prime minister's remarks were uploaded on his website najibrazak.com .

Najib did not attend a highly-anticipated dialogue with NGOs - titled '

'Nothing to hide' - in PWTC, Kuala Lumpur this morning on instructions from the police .

Following this, organisers of the event invited former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad - Najib's chief critic - to speak instead to the 2,000 people who initially gathered to listen to the premier.

Once on stage, Mahathir immediately delivered another broadside against Najib, prompting the organisers to turn off the PA system.

Mahathir was then escorted out of the venue by the police.