The 97-year-old politician, who is the country’s longest-serving leader and last stepped down as prime minister in 2020, told the Financial Times in an interview that China is a “big market” for Malaysia and the region and maintains that economic relationship was decisive. Mahathir added that China’s philosophy — unlike the West — was not to conquer and occupy nations. “Yes, China claims the South China Sea as its own, but we have not been invaded. . . They want to influence methods in ASEAN countries, but they have not occupied us, they have invested in us,” he said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a political and economic bloc. “China is a very good trading partner.” ASEAN, which includes the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, must stay away from the US and China’s “provocation” from the West, Mahathir said, referring to its president’s controversial trip this month US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Taiwan. The visit angered China, which claims the island as its territory and launched a series of unprecedented military exercises across the country in response. Mahathir’s comments underscored the commitment of Southeast Asian countries that have long relied on the US for security and China for trade. Many governments in the region have struggled to find a response to heightened tensions between the rival superpowers. Mahathir’s government from 2018 to 2020 strengthened ties with China, even as he had called for greater control over Beijing’s investment in the country. Malaysia has been plagued by political turmoil since Mahathir stepped down. The country has had two prime ministers for as many years, hampering the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and causing intense factional jockeying and infighting. Elections are scheduled to be held already this year.

The fallout led to the resurgence of the United Malays National Organisation, the Mahathir-dominated party now linked to Najib Razak, the former prime minister convicted of money laundering linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad embezzlement scandal. Najib lost his latest appeal last week, but Mahathir said his rival and former protégé could remain influential from prison. “He has his fanatical followers, who will do everything they can to frustrate justice. They will try to pardon him,” Mahathir said. Mahathir called the current government of Ismail Sabri Yaacob corrupt and when asked if he would run again said he would “do my best”.