In some of his most combative comments since starting a one-man anti-government campaign about a year ago, Mahathir also challenged Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign.
"Either he changes or he steps down," Mahathir, 81, told reporters. Otherwise, "the only way they can stop me is to throw me in jail," said Mahathir, who gave up power in October 2003 after 22 years as prime minister.
Mahathir claimed he lost the election because party members in Kubang Pasu were bribed and persuaded by the government to vote against him. He said each delegate was given 200 ringgit (US$55; euro43) and a list of candidates they should vote for, but didn't offer any proof.
"I lost because of lies and bribery, but morally I have won. For this very small election the state government and the federal government mobilized forces that made it appear to be a presidential election," he said.
"You should be proud of yourself because you have used the biggest sledgehammer to kill one single wee mosquito," he said.
"They will try to stay in power but one day truth will prevail. They will pay a price for converting the Malaysian government into a family government of ... Abdullah Ahmad Badawi," he said.
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