Speaking at a public lecture here, Mahathir said: “Democracy should be understood as accepting the decision of the majority of the people. Those who lose (in polls) should respect the decision and should not engage in political actions that cause instability to the government.”

Mahathir said a country could achieve success when there is good leadership that does not stop thinking about the fate of the people.

Leaders who want to lead must also have a high sense of identity and adhere to noble values, he said when delivering a public lecture organised by the National Democratic Party (Nasdem) here.

Mahathir arrived in Jakarta this afternoon for a short visit at the invitation of party leader Surya Paloh. Nasdem is one of the parties in the coalition government of President Joko Widodo.

Mahathir said some mature democracies had deviated from national aspirations when their leaders became masterminds and committed war crimes against other countries.