INTERVIEW | In his 22 years as prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad had led Malaysia towards modernisation and industrialisation at a rapid pace, but he is also remembered for his chequered record in terms of upholding democracy and human rights.

His government jailed dissidents by the hundreds, judicial independence came under attack, press freedom was curtailed and allegations of crony capitalism were rife.

These are among the reasons cited by some Pakatan Harapan supporters and civil society leaders for their apprehension over having Mahathir as the opposition coalition's "top dog."

Although many opposition leaders, including victims of detention without trial, have embraced Mahathir as their leader, there are still doubts on Mahathir's commitment to reforms, and apologising for his past indiscretions may help to bring things moving forward.

During an interview with Malaysiakini last week, Mahathir said that if there has to be an apology, then it would have to work both ways.

"If we talk about regrets or apologies, then both sides have to apologise.

"I have been called firaun (a pharaoh), maha-zalim (a very cruel person). All that is not fair, not right," Mahathir said.

'I am not a dictator'

Critics, said Mahathir, forget that during his tenure, the economy was doing generally well and his political opponents even managed to win in some states.

"During my time, a lot of people in this country enjoyed a good life. Maybe sometimes I am very strict but I am not a dictator. If I am a dictator, then I will win 99 percent of the seats.

"Every time there is an election, a lot of opposition parties can even control states during my time. And during my time in Umno, I even allowed people to challenge me for the presidency.

"(Current Umno president) Najib (Abdul Razak) doesn't allow (this). Anyone who challenges him gets kicked out of the party. So who is the dictator?" asked Mahathir.

During Mahathir's tenure as prime minister, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) won the Sabah election in 1990 and 1994, prior to Umno's entry into the state. However, PBS was unable to form the state government in 1994 due to defections.

PAS has held on to Kelantan since 1990 and managed to form the Terengganu government for one term after the 1999 general election. It was the Mahathir-administration that ceased oil royalty payments to these states...