KUALA LUMPUR: Despite calling for the resignation of Carrie Lam as Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he did not receive any backlash from China.

Dr Mahathir said he only commented on the issue because it was a question from a Hong Kong lawyer during an event.

"I did not want to pass any opinion of what is happening there because I regard it as an internal matter. I was asked for my opinion as to what (Lam) should do, and my reply was that she is in a dilemma and she should resign. That's all," said Dr Mahathir.

Pressed by a reporter who asked whether he received any backlash from China over his remarks, Dr Mahathir said "no, nothing".

Dr Mahathir was speaking to reporters during a press conference at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday (Oct 8).

Dr Mahathir's comments on the ongoing Hong Kong protests were made last Friday (Oct 4) during the opening of Lawasia's inaugural Constitutional and Rule of Law Conference.

Hong Kong has seen four months of protests ignited by a proposed law that will allow the extradition of its citizens to the Chinese mainland, a move seen by many as oppressing political dissidents.

Although the proposed extradition Bill had since been withdrawn, protests continued to take place in Hong Kong as observers said that discontent among protestors has now evolved to economic concerns as well as political freedom.