The former Umno president is unwell. But this did not stop Dr Mahathir Mohamad from sharing his thoughts on the party he had led for more than two decades and its annual meet.

Mahathir, who said that he might attend the assembly if health permits, outlined the problems plaguing Umno and stressed on the importance of reprimanding leaders.

The former premier, who has been critical of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s leadership, recalled that the latter's father Abdul Razak and other Umno presidents were reprimanded and also challenged.

"I was attacked and almost lost in the contest (Umno elections)," he said.

If not reprimanded, Mahathir said leaders would believe that their actions are correct, when it is to the contrary.

As for his criticism of Najib, the former premier said he was advised against making his views public.

"I reprimanded in private many times, especially concerning the problems of the bumiputera and Umno. But it was not effective. So I was forced to reprimand openly," he added.

Mahathir, who resigned in 2003, said the Malay community hopes to see Umno delegates reprimanding their leaders on certain "heated" issues.

"The leaders must listen to the reprimands and take heed of the delegates' views. Don't only listen to selected people who surround you.

"The Malays may not be as clever as these experts, but I believe they are not stupid. They had developed this nation from a poor country to one that gives us many benefits," he said.

The problems in Umno

Admitting that Umno was not as popular as before, Mahathir said criticism claiming that it is no longer relevant held some truth.

"If Umno is defeated and ceases to exist, the leadership cannot deny their part in the downfall of the party, the party which has given so much to the Malays and country," he added.

Mahathir said one of the mistakes committed by Umno leaders and members was using the party as a stepping stone to make themselves wealthier.

According to him, another problem was that Umno only accepted new members who would not threaten the existing leaders’ positions.

"A particular division will not accept anyone capable of challenging the division leader.

"So those who join Umno are Malays who are less talented than the division leader. When the division leader dies, his replacement is someone who is weaker than him," he said.

"That is why if someone asks who will become Selangor menteri besar should BN win, there is no answer for this.

"Whereas Selangor is full of talented and educated Malays who are already rich and do not need Umno to become wealthier," he added.

Lamenting that the "warlord" culture had also seeped into Umno, Mahathir said talented Malays who are disappointed with Umno joined other parties.

"As such, Umno will be on the decline and it will cease to exist," he added.