Dr Mahathir Mohamad, whose attacks on the government have triggered speculation he wants to reclaim the top job, has vowed not to make a comeback, reports said today.

"I don't want to come back as prime minister. I have had enough, 22 years as prime minister is longer than anybody else," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Mahathir, who has been fiercly critical of his hand-picked successor Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said he will continue his attacks for the good of the country and the ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno).

"As a member of Umno, I will continue to fight and will not give up easily," Mahathir said during a political tour to eastern Kelantan state.

Mahathir was hit by pepper spray shortly after he arrived in Kelantan, the only state ruled by the hardline opposition Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS).

Scuffle

Deputy Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan reportedly said the attack occurred as a result of a scuffle between two factions of Mahathir's supporters that had rowed over whose vehicles would be used to transport the former premier.

"Each group tried to usher Mahathir to their car. At that time, a man sprayed some form of substance ... which accidentally splashed on Mahathir's face and his aide," Musa said, according to the New Straits Times .

The perpetrator has been identified and will be arrested, he said.

Mahathir's spokesman Sufi Yusoff confirmed that there had been a disagreement between the two groups about transport arrangements, but said he had believed the dispute was resolved before the attack.

"I had already brokered an understanding between the two (leaders of the groups). They knew what the procedure would be before we arrived. They were very clear on that," Sufi said.

Mahathir's visit to Kelantan had been in doubt because some local Umno politicians objected to the trip in the wake of the feud with Abdullah.