Dr Siti Hasmah Ali, the wife of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, described Bersih 4 as a display of "people's power".

She said this while accompanying her husband on a whirlwind visit to Dataran Merdeka this evening.

Quizzed on what she thought of the protest, Siti Hasmah replied: "Ini adalah kuasa rakyat (This is people's power)."

Siti Hasmah rarely weighs in on political matters, even during Mahathir's 22-reign as prime minister.

Meanwhile, Mahathir did not wish to share his thoughts about Bersih 4, though he had previously remarked that a street protest should be the last resort to oust Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"I just came here to see," he told reporters while wading through the crowd.

" Teruskan, Teruskan (Continue, continue),” he added as the couple was mobbed by protesters and media personnel.

The couple arrived at about 7.30pm and left some five minutes later.

Learn from Filipinos

Earlier today, Mahathir urged the rakyat to show the people's power in light of the country's current situation.

In an event in Pasir Gudang, he said there was no need for people's power if the country's laws were not violated.

Citing former Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos ( photo ) who had abused his powers, Mahathir said Filipinos went out to the streets to demand for his ouster.

"We don't want such things to happen here. We want to do things according to law, but the laws are no longer in use.

"This is why the rakyat must show the people's power," he told to cheers from the 3,000 over people present in the Pasir Gudang indoor stadium today.

The country's longest serving prime minister was also asked by a member of the audience whether he believes that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was under the influence of black magic.

"Najib is not only under the spell of RM, RM has many shamans from all over the world who promise that Najib won't fall.

"But InsyaAllah (God willing), if the people show the people's power, he won't stay (as prime minister)," he said.

Mahathir did not mention names but it is believed that the RM he referred to was Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Earlier, his arrival at the event titled "Malaysia hari ini: Ke mana kita" (Malaysia today: Where are we heading) was met with a rousing applause and cheers of " Hidup Tun ".

Some MPs have been 'bought'

Meanwhile, Mahathir admitted that he faced the risk of being arrested for asking the rakyat to show people's power.

"But it's okay if you want to arrest me. I don't have many years left, maybe only months," he said, to the audience which shouted "no, you will live longer".

Commenting on rumours of a vote of no confidence against Najib, Mahathir claimed that many MPs had been "bought".

"They prioritise money over the responsibility as a people's representative.

"They are not representatives, instead they are traitors. I want to urge these people to go back to the path of righteousness.

"This is not the fight that is expected by the people who have chosen you," he said.

Mahathir added that the rakyat had chosen people's representatives to defend them, and not to defend the interests of particular individuals.

"But because that person has given money...

"If we become a race which prioritises money over our dignity, we will lose all semblance of dignity," he said.

Whistleblower site Sarawak Report had claimed that BN backbenchers chairperson Shahrir Abdul Samad and Umno deputy minister Ahmad Maslan were among those who had received money from Najib prior to the last general election.

The duo were allegedly given RM1 million and RM2 million each respectively.