EXCLUSIVE Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is a deeply polarising figure. For most people, it is either you hate him, or love him.

Those who hate Mahathir accuse him of using his 22 years in office to enrich himself, his family and his cronies, while setting the country on a path that led to the problems it faces today, including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's grip on power.

However, Mahathir believes that the majority view him in a good light.

"I think while I may have, in the eyes of some people, done something wrong, but in the eyes of the majority, I think they appreciate what has happened to them," he said in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini.

He admits there were some bad policies during his time as the head of government, but he insisted these did not impede the nation's growth.