Wanita PKR chief says Mahathir's remarks cannot be compared to Tengku Adnan's advice on how to avoid public harassment.

Several Pakatan Harapan women lawmakers defended Dr Mahathir Mohamad against the accusation that his remarks during a speech in Kedah were akin to shaming people who were overweight.

Wanita PKR chief Zuraida Kamaruddin told Malaysiakini that the former premier's remarks should be taken in the context of rejecting corruption.

"Mahathir did not insult a woman's physique, but the practice of corruption," said the Ampang MP.

Zuraida also insisted that Mahathir's remarks cannot be compared to Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor's advice for women to dress in a shabby manner to avoid being harassed in public.

"It is two different issues. Tengku Adnan was talking about dressing shabbily regardless of size. Tun (Mahathir) was referring to being 'fat' from corruption," she argued.