As a former prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad should have attracted at least 100,000 rally-goers.

Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz’s said this in response to the anti-goods and services tax (GST) held last Saturday which attracted some 2,000 participants.

Nevertheless, Nazri noted how Mahathir is now the one who encourages people to attend demonstrations, when he did not allow them to take to the streets when he was prime minister.

“I think he has missed something when he was prime minister, he realised that it was a big mistake. What he has missed, or didn't allow to do when he was prime minister - he must be regretting now,” he told a press conference in Shah Alam today.

Pointing out how he had tabled the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) in Parliament as law minister then, Nazri said Mahathir probably realised that he should have done the same during his time as prime minister.

“The fact that he's joining demonstrations and all that; he's embracing peaceful assembly, which even then, he didn't allow.

“Now you just mention that there will be a demonstration next week, he will come for sure. It means that he's regretting what he didn't do in the past, now he's admitting that it was big mistake on his part,” he said.

Nazri, however, advised Mahathir to continue demonstrating, so long as he applies for a permit.

“Apply for a permit, I even told police not to take his statement (for participating in the anti-GST rally).

“It’s a free country, you just apply lah (for the permit). Just don’t demonstrate at temples and things like that,” he said, to a question should Mahathir want to organise more demonstrations.

Meanwhile, on another matter, Nazri said both the ringgit’s strength and the country’s weather would not deter tourists from coming into the country.

He said tourists did not care about the ringgit’s strength because of the things that Malaysia has to offer.

When it comes to Chinese tourists, Nazri said the Chinese like Malaysia because some Malaysians speak Chinese and the country has “blue skies” which China currently does not enjoy with its pollution.

“Now it's hot, but it's not a deterrent for those people who want to come here. It’s not as bad as the Middle East, where it's hot like an oven.

“Our temperature is still bearable, I still see tourists walking on the streets, wearing slippers. As long as they don't run naked in the city, we are okay with them wearing slippers and singlets," he said.

Citing Europe with its cold temperature, Nazri said it was better to be a bit warmer than colder.

The country’s current hot weather due to the El Nino phenomenon is expected to return to normal beginning June.