KUALA LUMPUR Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad called Monday for a kinder and gentler globalization and described unfettered capitalism as a "monster machine for misery and injustice."

Mahathir, opening a conference on the subject, also urged developing nations to reject a new round of world trade talks until "grave imbalances" are rectified, AFP reported.

The premier, a frequent critic of unregulated globalization, said he believes in the free market.

But "absolute capitalism inconsiderate of humanity and caring is a monster machine for misery and injustice, and absolute globalization unguided by rationality and sound judgment is perhaps the greatest danger to the world."