Ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad was shunned by the country's political elite on Wednesday at an annual Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering at his home, while his son defended the former leader's campaign against the government.

Mahathir, 82, stood for several hours with his wife Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, greeting thousands of former politicians, business people and ordinary Malaysians at his idyllic country home south of Kuala Lumpur.

But save two ministers, aides and relatives noted the absence of political leaders from the ruling coalition who traditionally attend the elder statesman's or Hari Raya "open house" gathering.

The two ministers were Rural and Regional Development Minister and Mahathir's former political secretary Abdul Aziz Samsuddin and Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Rais Yatim.

"They must have got other things on their minds, I guess. Or they're scared to come. I don't know," Mokhzani, Mahathir's second of three sons, told reporters, referring to the acrimonious feud with premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"I'm disappointed, but it was expected. Politicians sometimes take into account all of these things, so maybe that's how they feel," he said.

Ministers on Tuesday lambasted Mahathir after he unleashed a fresh round of attacks on Abdullah following a Sunday meeting between the two which had been painted as a rapprochement.

In a rare criticism, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar al-Marhum Sultan Ismail, told Mahathir to "just behave like a pensioner" and stop his attacks on Abdullah, according to state media.

Mahathir - who refused to address the row Wednesday - on Monday renewed his accusations against Abdullah of economic mismanagement and nepotism, dashing hopes the two men would make peace.

He also accused Abdullah of running a "police state" and hinted the premier was corrupt.

Awaiting response

Mahathir's campaign was triggered by Abdullah's axing of projects conceived during his two decades in power, including an abandoned proposal to build a new bridge to Singapore.

Mokhzani, who persuaded his father to meet Abdullah amidst growing dismay from Malaysians over the public brawl, said reconciliation had never been on the cards in the talks.

"To resolve these issues or to get any kind of an effort towards coming out with the answers, would require them to meet," he said.

"It was not a kiss and make up or reconciliation meeting. It was a meeting to discuss or to put forth the issues which are of great concern to Tun," he said, referring to Mahathir by his honorific.

Mahathir used the opportunity to directly address Abdullah and was now awaiting a response from the premier, he said.

"Hopefully with the response that comes from government or the action that comes from Pak Lah, that will be the reconciliation," said Mokhzani.