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KUALA LUMPUR - Those who received free education but chose to work abroad instead of serving the country are "selfish and greedy", says former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said a lot of public funds were used to sponsor these students who opted for bigger salaries abroad.

"They get free education but they do not want to contribute to those who funded them," he said during a dialogue with students and Universiti Malaya here yesterday. "They are ungrateful, selfish and greedy."

However, Dr Mahathir lauded some who worked overseas for the exposure and later returned to serve the nation.

"The problem lies with those who work there and only come back to retire because the cost of living here is cheaper," he said.

On another matter, Dr Mahathir urged students to concentrate on their studies and become involved in politics after they graduate.

At a separate event, Dr Mahathir said the Barisan Nasional had achieved a lot in the past 55 years.

"So, when some people say it's time for change, such a change is not always for the better," he pointed out.

"It could be for the worse. You can destroy the country if you elect a party whose leader is only interested in becoming the prime minister.

"Some people say if it doesn't go well, we can still change it back to Barisan.

"But once you give them the power, they will do everything possible (to retain power) and it will be too late," he said at a tea-time session with the Lembah Pantai Retirees Club here.

On another note, Dr Mahathir said the reason fewer people were flying the national flag for Merdeka was because of the Opposition's influence, describing it as "not loyal" to the country.

"That is why they created their own flag," he said. "A lot of people are influenced by this sentiment."