Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said the government has the right to take action against anyone, including bloggers, who flout the law.

He said bloggers cannot go against the laws as this will lead to uneasiness in the country.

"Bloggers must follow the law. Everybody must follow the law. The government can act to prevent untoward incidents," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Mahathir was commenting on the defamation lawsuits filed by the pro-government New Straits Times Press (NSTP) against bloggers Jeff Ooi, who runs Screenshots, and Ahiruddin Atan who operates Rocky's Bru.

The suits were filed by NSTP deputy chairperson Kalimullah Hassan, a former editor, Brendan Pereira, and two others.

Observers claimed that the suits were sanctioned by the government as the two bloggers have been critical of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his administration.

The legal action has triggered criticism from media watchdogs who say it is a landmark assault on internet free expression.

However, Abdullah when commenting on it said there was no "freedom without responsibility" and like newspaper journalists, bloggers must be responsible for their writings or risk facing legal action.

Consult experts

In other developments, Mahathir, when quizzed on the massive floods in Johor, said experts should be consulted before passing judgements on Singapore.

He was responding to the claims by Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman that the floods were caused by the land reclamation exercise carried out by the neighbouring country.

Asked if Singapore should be referred to the International Court of Justice over this matter, Mahathir retorted sarcastically: "Singapore has no bad intentions towards us. How can you say that?"

Mahathir, who is also Proton adviser, was asked to comment on the company rejecting his suggestion to work with VolksWagen.

"That was my suggestion but times have changed, the government must follow what the people want," he said.

On his views regarding the recently concluded Batu Talam by-election in Pahang, Mahathir said he will not comment on this because Abdullah and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak have already said that the people support the government.