There is no need for the country to undergo any changes in its political system just because other countries in the region are being swept by waves of reform, said Umno president today.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the changes that the opposition parties are seeking were already in place since the country gained independence in 1957.

"This country has never been under autocratic or military rule. Since our independence, we have practised a democratic system with continuing elections," said Mahathir in his keynote address at the Umno annual general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

"Since independence, we have had 10 general elections in 43 years and during this tenure the opposition had won and ruled a few states.

"As such, why is there a need for reformasi in our country? Why do we need street demonstrations that only affects the people, especially small-time traders?" asked Mahathir, who is also the prime minister.

He said those behind the reformasi movement took inspiration from changes happening in neighbouring countries without considering the differences in each country's situation.

He added that the reformasi leaders even tried to gain foreign support to incite violence in the country.

"They know that our people will not resort to violence so they even hired foreigners to incite the crowd," said Mahathir, adding that foreign governments have not extended their support for the local reformasi leaders.

He said the foreign leaders did not want the same chaos in the respective countries to spread to Malaysia. Mahathir did not name any of the "foreign governments" or their leaders.

'Mob rule'

Mahathir admitted that the situation in Malaysia is not too good but added that that does not mean there is a need to change the government.

He chided the reformasi leaders for claiming that the present government was ruling without the rule of law even as at the same time they were breaking the laws by organising street demonstrations.

He repeated his oft-made statement that a change in government must happen only through elections, and not 'mob rule'.

He also said that those calling for a change in the government had previously enjoyed the benefits of being in the government.

"Why didn't they claim then that the government was undemocratic and breached human rights? In actual truth, they are not disappointed with the government but disappointed that their own political aspirations were unfulfilled," added Mahathir.

Mahathir said that those who came to power through street demonstrations will also fall in the same manner.