Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been asked not to openly reprimand Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak regarding his leadership.

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the former premier should air his views in a private meeting.

"We respect the suggestions put forth by Tun (Mahathir). I only ask him not to be so open about it.

"If there are problems with the party or leadership, meet the president.

"If the president is not there, meet the deputy president or me.

"The important thing is to discuss matters internally and not to expose. This is a party problem," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

In a blog posting yesterday, Mahathir had lambasted Najib and expressed disappointment over the latter's leadership.

Meanwhile, Adnan also asked for more time to be given to Najib to usher changes in the nation.

What is important now, he said, was that all quarters must refrain from putting Mahathir and Najib on a confrontational path.

"What Najib is doing is bringing transformation. We realise that in the past, we overlooked certain things and we want to fix this.

"Perhaps some are feeling slighted with our attempts to correct the situation,” he pointed out, without referring to anyone in particular.

"I think more time is needed. We respect what Tun said... I believe that Tun did this because he loves this country," he added.

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