KUALA LUMPUR: Some foreign powers want to push for a regime change in Malaysia by funding local-based, pro-opposition organisations, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said the ultimate goal of the funders was to see the appointment of a leader whom they could put under their thumb.

Speaking to reporters here yesterday, Dr Mahathir said that funding by the National Endowment for Democracy and the American currency speculator George Soros-linked Open Society Institute (OSI) — in the name of democracy and freedom — were not only bad but also reflected a hidden intention in wanting to control the domestic politics.

The vocal veteran politican was asked to comment on news portal Malaysiakini.com’s admission that it had received foreign funds, including from OSI.

It was exposed recently that apart from Mkini Dot Com Sdn Bhd which operates Malaysiakini.com, non-governmental organisation Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) had also received foreign funds.

Earlier, when opening the High Level Expert Consultation On Islam and Women’s Health organised by International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Dr Mahathir said Muslims should return to the teachings of Al-Quran, as the way of life and source of strength.

He said that what had happened in many Muslim communities in the world today, was because of their diversion from the Quran.

“Now, we give less credence to Quran but more in what is taught by Sunnah and Hadith, which are optional. And, because we do this, we create problems for ourselves.

“Muslims need to go back to the teachings of the Quran because that is the source of our strength, and to be successful people,” he noted.

Citing the Hudud law, Dr Mahathir, who is also Perdana Leadership Foundation honorary president, said the law tended to mete out punishment as severe as possible to criminals, but it was not compatible to the teachings of Islam which stressed on seeking justice, rather than punishment.

“We do not accept what is in the Quran because it (the punishment) is not severe enough, so we tend to follow the Hadith and Sunnah because it (the punishment) is more severe,” he said. — Bernama