Umno supreme council member Ismail Sabri Yaakob has accused former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad of gerrymandering and making it difficult for Umno to win seats.

Ismail said after the 1999 general election, Mahathir had turned many Malay-majority seats into mixed-race seats.

"When Mahathir was Umno president (in 1999), Malay support for Umno decreased and everyone admitted that BN won because of the support given to component (parties).

"This is why the redelineation took place at that time (after the elections). Malay-majority seats were decreased and were turned into mixed constituencies.

"Mahathir had no confidence in Malay support at the time. Eventually, the 'legacy' is that now non-Malay votes have become the deciding factor in many seats," Ismail Sabri told reporters today.

Following the 1999 general election, Umno's share of seats in Parliament was reduced by 22. The party also lost control over Terengganu.

During the subsequent 2004 general election, under the leadership of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Umno bounced back, winning an additional 38 seats.

Ismail said Najib had managed to bring changes to Umno and this resulted in the party gaining more votes in the 2013 general election.

Najib chosen by Umno grassroots, not individuals

Ismail said Najib had managed to bring changes to Umno and this resulted in the party gaining more votes in the 2013 general election.

However, should Mahathir continue to criticise Najib openly, the ex-premier's prediction may come true, warned Ismail.

"As of now, Mahathir is the only person who says Umno will lose if Najib continues to lead. We have not heard this (even) from the opposition.

"If Mahahir continues this open criticism, this will cause Umno's loss and it's not because of Najib's leadership," said the Agriculture and Agro‑Based Industry minister.

He urged Mahathir to stop doing this if he cares about the party and wants Umno and BN to win in the next general election.

"I urge Mahathir to work hand in hand with Najib to strengthen Umno. Attacking Najib will only weaken Umno," he said.

Meanwhile, he added, Mahathir disrespected Umno members when he asked for Najib's resignation.

This is because, he said, the Umno president is elected by the Umno grassroots, rather than chosen by "any individual".

"I hope Mahathir, as a former party president, will understand this issue," he said.

Dr M stooped to opposition level

He pointed out that many people still respect Mahathir, the country's longest-serving Prime Minister, as a "statesman".

However, when it comes to Sirul's case, Ismail Sabri said Mahathir has "put himself down" at the level of PAS Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar ( below ) and jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"If Mahathir raised the Sirul issue which was decided on by the Federal Court, it means Mahathir is no different from Anwar, who still questions the Federal Court judgement on him.

"We have to be consistent and cannot have double standards. Mahathir doesn't want Anwar's case to be re-opened, but asks to re-open Sirul's case," he added.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged Mahathir has now put Umno in a "very difficult position".

"It's easier to deal with other people but when it comes to Mahathir, it's very difficult," the Bera MP said.

Ismail Sabri, flanked by the Umno Bera division wanita chief, youth chief, and puteri chief, stated that his division fully supports Najib's leadership.