An Umno grassroots leader today implored upon Umno branches and divisions not to let former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to walk alone in his struggle to oust Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Pusat Bandar Taman Cempaka branch chairperson Syed Saifuddin Syed Harman, who organised a hi-tea featuring Mahathir as special guest today, said this was for the sake of the country.

"Do not let Mahathir be alone in this noble struggle. This is not a matter of material gain, but about the spirit of struggle.

"We must work to put things right for the sake of religion and country," Syed Saifuddin ( photo ) told a packed hall at Hotel DePalma in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, this evening.

He said the change must come soon, to ensure that Umno is not defeated in the 14th general election.

"If Umno does not admit that it is in a situation where it cannot breathe; if Umno remains egositic and thinks the party and government are still strong; then we will be buried in the next general election," he warned.

Syed Saifuddin then moved to rubbish claims that his action in hosting Mahathir at the hi-tea was a bid to topple the government.

Instead, he said, he was merely working to get the voice of the rakyat heard.

"I am just a minor leader. However, we also want other branches and divisions to rise and express their dissatisfaction with what is happening," Syed Saifuddin added.