Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad today criticised Australia's hard-won entry to the inaugural East Asia summit, saying it would likely be bossy and dilute the grouping's clout.

After diplomatic tussles, Australia signed a regional non-aggression pact to win an invitation to the summit which is regarded by some as a precursor to a region-wide economic grouping.

But Mahathir, who long fought against Australia's inclusion in regional forums, said Canberra did not represent Asian views.

"Now, Australia is basically European and it has made clear to the rest of the world that it is the deputy sheriff for America," said Mahathir.

"Therefore, Australia's views will represent not the east but the views reflecting the stand of America," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

"I am afraid that knowing Asians, who are always very polite and do not like to appear to be recalcitrant, the views of Australia are likely to dominate," he added, labelling the gathering an "East Asia-Australasia grouping" instead.

Mahathir had a rocky relationship with Australia during his 22 years in power, especially after then-prime minister Paul Keating in 1993 dubbed him a "recalcitrant" for refusing to attend the inaugural Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum summit.

Syed Hamid dismisses remarks

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar politely dismissed the comments from Mahathir, who retired two years ago but remains a high-profile - and sometimes unwelcome - figure on the political scene.

"If Dr Mahathir is looking at it from an historical and geographical context, you cannot fault him," he told AFP .

"But I think we are looking at it beyond the geography and beyond the history. We would like to work together with countries who would like to identify themselves with our region."

Syed Hamid said that like any other nation, Australia and New Zealand were entitled to join the grouping if they fulfilled the membership criteria.

"I think that makes us more flexible and inclusive. To us this is a safer, more constructive route to move forward the process of East Asia," he said. "Whether we can technically call ourselves 'East Asia' is not an issue now."

Mahathir's ambition

Bringing together the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its East Asian neighbours was Mahathir's ambition during his leadership.

Mahathir said the original idea had been for East Asian nations to discuss common approaches in areas such as global trade negotiations, but that their positions would now be watered down by the inclusion of non-Asian countries.

"Now, if you have a country that speaks up for Europe and America, then of course the views (of East Asia) will not be different and it will not in any way provide a balance" to European or US positions, he said.

Mahathir called for the East Asia summit to be led by Asean and East Asian countries only.

"We can discuss with Australia and New Zealand in other forums like Apec. We are not quarrelling with them," he said.

The East Asia summit on December 14 brings together the 10-member Asean as well as Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand and India.