Mahathir said Anwar had been arrested for instigating riots in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, adding that he expected formal charges to be brought against him.

Anwar, who is facing allegations of taking part in illegal sex acts, is being held under the Internal Security Act [ISA], which provides for detention without trial.

Excerpts of Mahathir's comments, broadcast by Malaysian TV on 22 September, follow.

'Indonesian-style riots'

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He [Anwar Ibrahim] had been allowed to break the law many times. He was holding many illegal meetings and rallies around the country.

He was not arrested, but the climax came on Sunday when he instigated his followers to riot, to be violent, to attack certain places, and it is clear that he was working up emotion in order to develop the kind of situation that was found in Indonesia when these people rioted daily and tried to obstruct the normal life in the city.

And they hoped that that way, they could overthrow the government, in particular overthrow me, which is not a very great consequence anyway since I am 73 years old and cannot last forever.

But the fact is that he wished to damage peace and order in this city.

'Police had to arrest Anwar immediately'

The police had to act and it is their intention that they want to arrest and charge him in the normal court of law.

It was not their intention to arrest under the Internal Security Act.

However, because of his incitement to violence, they had to take him earlier than they proposed ... So they have now arrested him under the ISA, but I believe it was their intention to bring him before the court and charge him in the normal manner.

'Anwar afraid of being charged in court'

So Anwar's greatest fear is to be charged in court because then all the things that he has done will be revealed and all the witnesses will be able to appear to give evidence.

Now these witnesses are different from others. They have to give evidence which in a way would bring shame to themselves.

No state of emergency

The vast majority, or 22 million people living in this country, are quite happy as they are.

As you can see, despite the demonstration on Sunday, last night there were thousands of people at the stadium and they were quite happy singing the national anthem.

I do not think there is any cause for an emergency.