The international media has made Malaysia's serious political problems worse, the country's prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, said at the opening of the four-day Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) conference in Kuala Lumpur.

The latest protests were dispersed by water cannon

Speaking two days after protestors clashed with police in Kuala Lumpur, in the most violent confrontation since sporadic demonstrations began five weeks ago, Dr Mahathir accused the foreign media of supporting attempts to overthrow his government.

The Malaysian press has played down the current political crisis - which was triggered by the sacking and arrest of deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim - and remained unswervingly loyal to the government. But Dr Mahathir is clearly angered by the manner the crisis has been covered outside the country.

Mr Anwar was sacked as deputy prime minister in September

He said the impression given to people all over the world is that Malaysia is in a state of perpetual turmoil and that police brutality is a daily, or even an hourly occurrence.

The western media, he said had implied that he was a dictator, presiding over a police state, adding, to the amusement of his audience:

"I am perhaps the only dictator who has to stand for elections before dictating."

Dr Mahathir, who has been prime minister of Malaysia for the last 17 years, said an attempt was being made to topple the government through street demonstrations and the western media was supporting it. How can they, he enquired, and at the same time talk about democracy?

Unlike the protests in neighbouring Indonesia, which brought down President Suharto, Dr Mahathir said the Malaysian government could not be toppled by street demonstrations because it was freely elected.

Asked about the licensing of newspapers in Malaysia - a system which enables the government to ban publications that it takes a dislike to - Dr Mahathir said that while he supported a free press there was a need for regulation to ensure that things did not get out of hand.