(AFP) - Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad hit out today at what he called the "destruction of morality" in the Western world.

Mahathir, reiterating his frequent warnings about the dangers of unregulated globalisation, said the process also imperilled local cultures.

In the materialistic world "homosexuality is actively encouraged and in some instances even incestuous relations between siblings and parents and children are tolerated," he said.

"It seems that in the name of human rights anything is allowed, nothing is barred. Marriage and families are no longer respected institutions."

He was speaking at a seminar on the impact of globalisation on the Islamic world.

Answering questions from the floor, Mahathir said globalisation was not just about material wealth, trade and businesses but also about culture.

Since globalisation was an idea from the West, the culture being advocated and promoted was also Western culture.

"I don't see why we need to accept globalisation of culture. That is what differentiates us. God creates us in various races and ethnic groups, why should we be standardised?" he said.

"There are attempts now to force the whole world to have a single culture and a single set of values and to forbid anything else from being practised, and yet they (West) advocate democracy," he said.

"What is the meaning of democracy if you are given only one choice?"