Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said any non-elected council that aims to control an elected leader is undemocratic.

In a statement on his blog today, Najib indirectly took swipe at former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposal for a council of elders.

He said any form of council not elected by the people that aimed to supervise a leader can be described as undemocratic and against the Federal Constitution, which is based on democratic principles.

"If there is a body that can control an elected leader, then this would be the start of straying away from the democratic system that has been the pillar of our country's peace and development all this while," Najib said.

Mahathir's proposal calls for the setting up of a council of elders to advise the prime minister and allow him to hear the opinions of others.

"In our system, the prime minister chooses the people who support him (into the cabinet). That means, whatever he says would be okayed by the cabinet," he said.

'Leaders in the executive are elected'

However, Najib disagreed, saying that Malaysia is a democratic country where leaders in the executive are elected through their respective parties and in general elections.

"They receive the mandate to be chiefs and hold government positions to serve the people and country.

"They are chosen to be responsible to the people because they are elected by them," he said.

Najib added that all Malaysians, irrespective of their status, must uphold the constitution.

"As a leader, I am responsible to defend the third principle of Rukun Negara (national principles) with all the powers within my purview," he added.