Last May, the same step was taken against the Lord President, the highest justice of Malaysia. Also under Dr. Mahathir's leadership, the traditional solidarity of the party that has governed Malaysia since independence in 1957, the United Malay National Organization, has been shattered by a continuing, abrasive leadership struggle.

''You see, the whole trouble today is, when he took over, he was trying to make sure he would stay on in power,'' the Prince said, sitting at his desk in his traditional house in an elegant suburb of the capital. Throughout the interview, the Prince was at pains to avoid calling Dr. Mahathir by name.

''He then imposed his rule of despotism or tyranny on this country, at the expense of law and order,'' the Prince said. ''They set up a dictatorship. To be a complete dictator, you've got to take control of everything. But the judiciary is still independent. There's only one thing blocking his way, the independent judiciary. Now he wants to compromise that independence.''

The Prince, known throughout this nation simply as the Tunku - his title in Malay - spoke with a melodious Malay lilt to his English, in a vigorous voice that contrasted with his frail appearance. He suffered a heart attack earlier this year.

So deep is the Tunku's desire to oppose Dr. Mahathir's actions that a friend reported he told them after his illness, ''I've got two doctors who keep me alive - my own and Dr. Mahathir.'' 'My Mind Is Clear'