Mahathir predicts 'liar' Bush's victory

Mahathir, who retired last October after 22 years in power, told The Star in an interview that the US electorate "appears to be willing to accept a person who told a blatant lie and to elect a liar as their president.

"The American people are, by and large, very ignorant and know nothing about the rest of the world. They think that America is the world," he said.

"They will accept a liar. They will accept (British Prime Minister Tony) Blair and I am sure they will accept Bush. They have already accepted (Australian Prime Minister John) Howard who told a blatant lie."