On Sunday, former prime minister Anwar Ibrahim backed his nemesis Dr Mahathir Mohamad's claims that Malaysia is a police state under the leadership of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He added that Mahathir's allegations of Abdullah's economic mismanagement, corruption and nepotism warranted a detailed explanation from the government.

"The issue of the police state, I think it's quite correct... This has happened in the past, it's happening now. It's not a matter of 'you did it, you have no right to question," he said at his Hari Raya open house celebration yesterday.

Mahathir sacked Anwar from party and government posts in 1998 on moral grounds. He then chose Abdullah as his deputy, who then assumed the leadership mantle in 2003.

For the past six months, Mahathir has been Abdullah's most vocal critic, and the fall-out between the two got worse last week despite a reconciliation meeting held just before Hari Raya celebrations.

The following is a full transcript of Anwar's press conference:

What do you make of the ongoing spat between Mahathir and Abdullah?

I think both PM Abdullah and former prime minister Mahathir should confine to the issues and policies and that the debate in the media should promote a healthy and open discourse on the allegations and (provide) substantive rational explanation, (as) to the brevity to the allegation.

I think we should do that. I don't think that it is proper in this juncture to use the media for malicious attacks against any people.

Is Mahathir trying to topple Abdullah?

The issue whether he wants to topple or not... as a citizen he has every right to do whatever within the law. But the point is the allegations (that Mahathir made) warrants a detailed explanation on the part of the government.

The issue of the police state, I think it's quite correct. The same laws are in operation. The same excesses ... being used by those in office or government for their own political ends. This has happened in the past, it's happening now. It's not a matter of 'you did it, you have no right to question.'

The issue is that he (Mahathir) did it, then it's incumbent for the present leadership not to repeat the blunders of the past.

When are you returning to politics?

I am, for all intent and purpose, involved with Keadilan and working with the opposition and the more progressive civil society organisations. My tenure as professor at Georgetown (University) will end in December and I have given notice that I do not intend to continue, which means that I would be here (Malaysia).

Will you be re-entering politics by December this year?

I am here in Malaysia. I'll be here.

People are saying that Keadilan is not as vocal as before...

We don't need to be vocal, because the issues are being well articulated. I feel that we should confine to the issues. At least in the case of the former prime minister Dr Mahathir, the media did give him a chance to express his views, although the attacks have been very, very rough against him.

But in our case, our position has never been made clear because the media continues to this sort of censorship, which prime minister Abdullah says is self-censorship. It is not the case because we know that editors have been called up and the media is being used as a mouthpiece for the government.

There is no free media here and we know that as a fact. There is no point in denying that.

What do you think of the latest criticisms by Mahathir. Is it more personal or...

I said it is not my interest to rebut on any sort of a personal attack. But there are some of his allegations which involve policy methods. Serious allegations on corruption, abuse of power, nepotism. Issues of his allegation, as a former prime minister of 22 years, that Malaysia is a police state.

This issue must be discussed and deliberated wholly. And there is no point for the government to be in a state of denial, but to deal with the issues substantively. What are the allegations? What are the components or ingredients of a police state? What are the draconian laws in operation? How is the media preaching these issues? Is the judiciary truly independent? And whether we are going to see fair and free elections.

Yes, the allegations in the media is that there were fraudulent acts, there were repressive measures under Dr Mahathir. What we want to know is whether these same measures are in operation or there is a categorical assurance on the part of prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that these will not recur.

Where is the on-going spat headed towards?

Firstly on the ongoing spat, I feel that it has been quite rough, we should differentiate from personal venting or vengeful remarks or replies from several leaders who seem eager to defame. It is just repeating mistakes of the past.

I want to concentrate on the core argument of issues, which are more substantive. If there are accusations that are thrown against former prime minister Mahathir, we have to examine whether the accusation (is valid).

Whether he is an Umno member or not ... those are just side issues. If there are allegations from someone who is a former prime minister, the issues raised should be examined and should be answered to.

On allegations that the media is not free and that it is used as a mouthpiece, it is not enough to say that media under Mahathir was faring worse, and that now it is not so bad.

To me, this is illogical. If it is true that the media under Mahathir was in a bad state, it is necessary for the current leadership to make things right so that any wrong doing or injustice or any form of oppression on the part of the government, which Mahathir now described as a police state, would be addressed. These should be stopped.

Generally, from the comments made by the prime minister, it appears encouraging, it appears to provide room. But the implementation is different from what is being promised.

As an example, my statements to the media today ... I am not confident that it would not be provided with fair or free coverage because statements that slam Dr Mahathir will be publicised, whereas calls for justice, and calls that the facts be examined, that do not to attack Dr Mahathir or Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, but to see if things are based on facts ... I am confident that this would not be provided with fair coverage.

This means that the unfairness that occur in the past that now is generally accepted by the media and the leaders in Umno and Barisan Nasional, which they deny that the same policies are being continued.

People said you are more popular because of the spat...

I am thankful because this is a positive statement that is given, that I am said to be more popular. But if I am truly to be popular, I don't want to be popular because of the feud between the two. I want to be popular because the rakyat supports our principles.

Will you be returning to Umno?

I have explained this. It is non issue. I have given my full commitment to Keadilan. I believe it is time for Malaysians to move forward.

It is not necessary to expose each case, one by one, such as the case of Klang municipal council and Klang assemblyperson... we should find a more wholesome solution to the problem.

I want to state that if we are to defend the rights of the Malay, the Chinese, the Indian and the Kadazan and so forth we have to accept the fact that the actions of Umno and Barisan Nasional has failed. It is no longer a question of corruption and the misuse of power. It is about the climate of fear .

People are now afraid to meet. But it is not right that the allegations by the former prime minister has yet to be answered sufficiently. We may not agree with Dr Mahathir. But it is not right to block or the prevent people from voicing their views. I don't agree with this.

I have never said that I was happy with the tyrannical acts against me. But I never believed that the right solution was to act with tyranny against others. I respect his right to give his personal views. If the allegations are based on facts, then it should be answered.

Do you think the criticism will continue?

I see no way that it is going to be resolved very soon. Mahathir has taken a strong position. The issues are now not just (about) a few quality issues. It is a major devastating critique of the administration on the issue of governance, of corruption and the rule of law.

It is the entire issues we used to addressed when he was prime minister. Now he has given credence to what we have been saying all these years that there is a climate of fear, which means you use the media, you use the police, you use the judiciary, you cheat in the elections. These are policies or substantive issues which he has alleged against the government and Umno leadership in particular.

I don't believe that the MCA or Gerakan or MIC would make any impact here, but Umno leadership has not made a move but instead said that Mahathir has no right.

'(When) Mahathir used to be the prime minister we used to support him, therefore he has to support us.' And it is unbecoming for our prime minister to say these things.

But these are not issues of concern to me. I confine myself to the facts and policy issues.