Asked about possible security risks in Huawei Technologies' 5G network at the 'Future of Asia' conference in Tokyo today, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad admitted that Malaysia needs the technology it provides, which should eclipse any concerns about espionage.

"We are too small to have any effect on a huge company like Huawei, whose research is far bigger than Malaysia's entire research capability. So we try to make use of their technology as much as possible.

"Yes, there may be spying or whatever, but what is there to spy on in Malaysia? We are an open book, everybody knows that.

"If any country wants to invade Malaysia, they can walk through and we will not resist because it is a waste of time," he said.