Sabotaging Malaysia's economy by frightening off foreign investors is an act of treason, not patriotism, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak.

"Some people claim they are criticising the prime minister and are running down the country out of patriotism.

"Most historians agree that Adolf Hitler was also a patriot and that Naziism was the product of this patriotism. And 100 million people died because of this," Salleh said in a blog post last night.

Patriotism, he said, is in what you do, and not merely by invoking its name.

If anyone wants to impress with their patriotism in Malaysia, it has to start with the spirit of 'Negaraku' and the Rukun Negara.

"You cannot be opposed to all this and have your own version and interpretation of patriotism," Salleh said.

He also described the wars in Serbia and Bosnia as acts of patriotism, as was the Vietnam War and the Cambodian 'killing fields'.

"But I am sure the millions of dead did not think so," he said.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang has previously said that he would be willing to work with anyone, including PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and top BN leaders, in the interest of the country.

He had also called a move in the interest of the country the "highest form of patriotism and love for Malaysia".

Other opposition leaders, including former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, have also often used their love for the country to justify themselves and their actions.