Dr Mahathir Mohamad has now turned his attacks on his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's passive leadership of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).

"Our time as host and leader to the OIC is almost up. But unfortunately, during three years as leader, we didn't do anything," said Mahathir during a dinner in Kota Bharu last night.

He claimed the OIC under Malaysia's leadership had been silent during the Prophet Mohammad caricature controversy earlier this year.

"Correctly, we should have initiated some action to defend the followers of Islam, because we have been entrusted with leading OIC," he said.

Mahathir went on to allege that foreigners no longer deem Malaysia a modern Islamic country capable of setting an example and leading the Muslim world.

"I don't want to slander anyone. I just want to tell the truth. I hope we all think - Why is the good name of Malaysia deteriorating even though it's just been introduced to the world," he added.

PAS leaders present

Earlier, Mahathir spoke on the Israeli-Lebanon conflict where he urged wealthy Arab nations to sell off their American dollars in exchange for Euros, Yen or gold, to severely devalue the American currency.

He said that would be the logical approach considering that many Israeli offensive against Arab countries were fuelled by American money and weapons.

The sombre speech broke away from his sarcastic and semi-comical lecture he gave hours earlier to Kelantan Umno members at another hotel where he took potshots at Abdullah, his son-in-law Khairy Jamalludin and NSTP deputy chairperson Kallimullah Hassan.

The dinner, organised by Kelantan People's Action Council led by former Umno strongman Ibrahim Ali, drew a crowd of almost 1,000 with many people being forced to stand throughout the event.

Many prominent PAS leaders were also present, including Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat and PAS vice-president Husam Musa.

Veteran Umno leaders such as former Kelantan Menteri Besar Mohamad Yaakob, former NST editor-in-chief Abdullah Ahmad and former Mara president Ruhanie Ahmad were also present.

While Mahathir and Nik Aziz shared the same table, the were however separated by Ibrahim who sat between them. It remains unconfirmed if the two former fierce rivals spoke throughout the event.

Met by reporters later, Husam said that Mahathir still has a role to play in strengthening the OIC particularly as a voice to pressure for an end to the Israeli aggression on Labenon.

To a question, he said PAS could collaborate with Mahathir to counter activities which are being done to weaken the country.