Good moral values should be given attention and taught to children from kindergarten until university, said Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

He said the national educational system should teach students good values and character beyond imparting knowledge.

"I feel some attention should be given in school, from kindergarten to university, on good moral values," he said in his opening remarks during a dialogue with students at Toyo University today.

Dr. Mahathir said some countries used education as a form of indoctrination, according to Malaysia News Agency (Bernama).

"I have seen a country at least where young people, as young as six years old, were taught to adore the leader and think of him as a God who can do no wrong."

He said the result saw an oppressive regime and government.

"It will make the people suffer and the government will fail," he said.

Meanwhile, during the dialogue session, Dr. Mahathir said the best weapon against corruption is to instill in the society that corruption is a crime.

“When they are still young they should be told that corruption is a crime. That’s the best defence against corruption. You grow up to reject corruption, then the society will be better off,” he said.

He said corruption is not something that can be easily be rid off, but efforts must be made to ensure that it is not prevalent everywhere.