Dr Mahathir Mohamad has likened the current tussle between him and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to a court hearing.

He told reporters this when elaborating on his blog post today that he intended to meet with Umno wings.

"If we hear explanations from one side, we would not be able to deliberate on a matter wisely or judiciously.

"In court, we hear the person who makes the accusation and the defendant. So it is both sides," he said.

Mahathir noted that many in Umno do not understand the reason behind his scorching criticisms against Najib.

"So I wish to tell them why I am taking this action. If I am not given the opportunity to speak, people would reject my opinions," he added.

However, Mahathir, who led Umno for more than two decades, said he would only address the wings if invited to do so.

"If they call me, I'll go, If they don’t want (to hear from me), I won't go," he said after holding a closed-door session with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

Mahathir has been calling on Najib to explain the financial imbroglio in 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Calling on the prime minister to step down, he warned that Najib would cause the defeat of Umno and BN if he remained at the helm.

Najib, on the other hand, has vowed that he and his cabinet would not surrender .