Are Mahathir Mohamad's comments fair?

The former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has accused the UK of "state-incited terror".

He said that US and UK pilots in Iraq were "murderers" in a speech at a conference in Kuala Lumpur.

His words prompted several diplomats to walk out. Dr Mahathir has frequently hit the headlines with his controversial comments.

What do you think of Dr Mahathir Mohamad's comments? Is the former Prime Minister right to speak his mind? Do you think his accusations were fair or unfair? Send us your reaction.

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This debate is now close. Please read a selection of comments below

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

This time Mahathir has it right. However, as usual, he could have expressed his views in a less "in your face" manner. The British bureaucrats should have rebutted Mahathir's views instead of walking off.
Reny Lewis, Singapore

Dr Mahathir was wrong to suggest that pilots celebrate the killing of innocent civilians. The rest is all just a matter of opinion. Whilst I support his freedom to say what he thinks, indeed I agree with most of his comments, it is worthwhile remembering all those jailed for doing the same in Malaysia during his time as Prime Minister. Dr Mahathir may or may not be right, but a hypocrite he undoubtedly is.
SteveP, London, England

Well there is a lot of truth in what Dr. Mahathir has said about the war. He has spoken what many people throughout the world are saying in the confines of their homes. Some people will not admit to the truth. Why didn't the diplomats listen in the spirit of democracy instead they showed how small minded they were by walking out.
Alphonsus Lyon, Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia

I feel that his comments were not baseless. He has the right to criticize just as much as any other democratic world leader .By walking out on his speech just because they could not handle criticism, the diplomats had disrespected the freedom of speech.
Kyle, Saskatoon,Canada.

Mahathir is simply not relevant enough in this world today to take his tirade seriously. Why does he not rail against the excesses of Mugabe, and why was he silent on the atrocities committed for years by Saddam Hussein in Iraq, the govt. in Saudi Arabia etc.?
David T, Alnwick UK/Dubai

This is just a bit of politicking Rich, Warrington, UK

I guess he is right, or wrong, depending on what side of the fence you are shooting from. The topic has a lot of political power, and some easy points can be scored by attacking the ongoing war in Iraq. This is not to say it was wrong, or right for that matter, and it's not as though the Malaysian government is going to disown the US and UK regimes. This is just a bit of politicking.
Rich, Warrington, UK

So long as Dr Mahathir does not want to come to this country and expect our hospitality, he can say what he wants.
Mark , Nottingham, Great Britain

Just take Dr Mahathir Mohamad's comments as a pinch of salt. He never makes good sensible comments during his regime as a PM and now as an ex-PM.
Christina Spybey, London, UK

It's not a big deal really. He has simply added his name to a long list of moaners that have no better solutions for dealing with the problems posed by a largely unpleasant world. He should instead rejoice in the fact that he and his alike are only free to air their view because others have attempted to deal with tyranny where they are able.
Ron Levy, Rayleigh, UK

Playing to the cheap seats for a bit of publicity is a very dangerous game. It is the sort of thing that will come back and bite you where it hurts. There are other ways to convey your strong objection to certain issues that would gain you more credibility than this.
Graeme, England

He has a right to speak his mind Adriana Blankenship, East Sussex, UK

He has a right to speak his mind, although I feel he is somewhat misdirecting his comments. The bomber pilots wouldn't be there without the governments' directives. He should lay blame where it is due.
Adriana Blankenship, East Sussex, UK

What is wrong with Mahathir's comments? He only stated the plain, obvious facts. The fact is, British foreign policy is decided in the US State Department. If the American's are not upset, why are the Brits?
Nausherwan Lahori, Lahore, Pakistan

Why should we surprised at his support for Saddam's regime? One dictator supporting another one. Most of those who cry "illegal" war are supporters or apologists for some of the world's most militaristic, barbaric regimes - for example: Cuba, North Korea and China.
Paul, Stourbridge, England

Yes, his comments are fair regardless of his own reputation. I feel conned into backing the invasion. There was no threat to us from Iraq and the Iraqi people are less safe than ever. It was all a ruse to steal oil which the U.S. couldn't have with Saddam in power.
Richard, UK

Everyone is entitled to convey their viewpoint and Dr. Mahatir has used his freedom to do that. I don't think the comments against the pilots is fair because they just follow orders by their commanders-in-chief, who ought to be held culpable for killing civilians. However, the British diplomats must not bury their heads in sand and avoid listening to opposing views that communicate serious concerns.
Ali, Bangalore, India

The serious points that he wishes to make are trivialised by his colourful mode of expression John Lawrence, Southampton, UK

It is strange that somebody in his position fails to understand the importance of diplomacy. The serious points that he wishes to make are trivialised by his colourful mode of expression.
John Lawrence, Southampton, UK

We in the UK believe in freedom of speech so Mr Mohammad has every right to say what he believes. I do not agree with the diplomats walking out. They should respect his views, regardless if they disagree with his views. Show the world that we are the leaders in advocating human rights and freedom of speech
Andrew, UK

Ok then Dr Mahathir, what did you do to combat the "state incited terror" when Saddam Hussain ran Iraq? Nothing and neither did any other Islamic Head of State. It's easy to criticise - how about a solution, eh?
Jenny, Manchester

There need to be more dissenting voices in an era where the foreign policies of western governments are doing more harm than good.
Zak Kahn, Glasgow, Scotland

Dr Mahathir's comments are fair. It is a fact that we went to war based on a lie. His views may not be reflective of the Malaysian goverment's official line but they are the beliefs of many in the Muslim world. Dr Mahathir's human right record may be questionable but the human rights record of the US and the UK are also equally questionable.
Steve S, London

Whatever your opinion of these views it was obvious from before the start of the war that many people would think this way. The British lost a lot of respect around the world and indeed many people seem to actively hate us now. And given the cost to the UK taxpayer and the current awful situation in Iraq, it is difficult to see anything positive about this situation whatsoever. What makes it doubly frustrating is that all these outcomes were widely predicted before the war, but dismissed by those in power who should have know better. This has to be the worst foreign policy decision in living memory.
Charles Sinclair, Shrewsbury, UK

Dr Mahathir should remember that without the sacrifice of British troops in Malaya fighting the Chinese communists during the Malayan emergency he'd now be living in a Chinese dominated communist society where his frequent outbursts in favour of Malaysian independence & Islam would have landed him in a "re-education camp". He should be grateful to Britain for his right to free speech, rather than suppressing it in his own country & Iraq.
P, U.K

Since the Oxford dictionary's definition of 'murder' is "the unlawful premeditated killing of one person by another", I think we have to accept that UK and US pilots are murderers since the war in Iraq is illegal by all international standards and since surely they know that dropping bombs kills innocent people. Of course, criticism by a 'foreigner' is the best thing that can happen to Blair as all the 'patriots' will rally behind him. Little do they realize what harm they are doing to their own country.
Mary, Bristol

Finally, somebody with a voice not afraid to stand up against the foreign policies of the US and UK Abdul Ali, Manchester

I do not believe that what he said was fair because the Iraq invasion was for a reason: to establish democracy and freedom. I do not deny that some British and American soldiers committed crimes, and I condemn them for that. However it is sadly a fact that in modern warfare innocent civilians do get killed.
Harun Ali, London, UK

I wonder what Mahathir's opinion is of the Iraqi pilots who dropped chemical weapons onto Halabja? I wonder what he thought when the Iraqi air force bombed Kuwait airport? As with many Muslim leaders he seems to share the opinion that it is acceptable state policy for a Muslim to kill thousands of Muslim civilians, but a "war crime" for a non-Muslim to do the same. The real joke is that he accuses the west of double standards!
P, Nottingham

Finally, somebody with a voice not afraid to stand up against the foreign policies of the US and UK. His comments are fair - it is not right to call the bombing of innocent people in England terrorism and say that the bombing of innocent people in Iraq is not.
Abdul Ali, Manchester

Dr Mahathir has all along been a firebrand: a very controversial person, loved by many, tolerated by some and totally loathed by others. However one wonders why he voices so much invective on and contempt for the British and the Americans while not criticising the real dictators and tyrants, past and present, in the Muslim political world. Malaysia is a vibrant country, thanks in part to the British for the infrastructure and the educational system. However a good deal of credit should also go to ex-Prime Minister Mahathir as well for the period of stability and economic prosperity. However his treatment of Anwar Ibrahim showed that that he was not prepared to brook any opposition and was a dictator at heart. How sad a clever lawyer consumed by his own importance who wore 'coloured spectacles' when it came to criticising the UK and the West.
Pancha Chandra, Belgium

His views are are an offence to common decency. Blair and Bush may have got it wrong, but Blair at least was motivated by the right reasons. On another note, I suggest Dr Mahathir comes up to speed with 21st century thinking, and accepts differences and appreciates the concept of religious, sexual and gender equality.
Andrew Buchanan, London

As a Brit I would defend Mr Mohammad's right to freedom of speech Clare, UK

As a Brit I would defend Mr Mohammad's right to freedom of speech. May he always be free to say what he feels and may our diplomats always be free to ''vote with their feet'' and walk out when they disagree. Lack of communications causes the world more problems than free speech.
Clare, UK

Dr Mahathir may not like British or American fighter pilots but I note he's very keen on the aircraft themselves. I wonder what the difference is between a US navy F-18 and a Malaysian air force F-18? Why did Mahathir buy such aircraft if not to use them?
Peter, Nottingham

Mahathir Mohamad's comments are beneath contempt.
Rob Lovett, Swindon, Wiltshire

I think Dr Mahathir needs to sit down and shut up. Okay, the whole 'invade Iraq' thing wasn't the best idea in the world, but it's happened and for the most part I think people are better off.
Naomi, Surrey, UK

Well it's true. We, the Brits, also imply the same when we say the war is illegal so why should it cause a controversy when a foreign politician says the truth?
Sara Alam, Banbury, Oxford

Mahathir may not have a good record himself, but the truth does hurt.
Anon, Nottingham