Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has lamented how Umno is now merely a party belonging to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He was commenting on suggestions that he should be sacked together with former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Never mind, he has a right to sack (me) even though there is no reason to do so, because he is in power,” he said in a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Mahathir added that this was therefore an abuse of power.

The outspoken Najib critic stressed that as an Umno member, he has the right to voice out his views.

“But now whoever that criticises the prime minister or the party president, gets sacked.

“This is as though the party is no longer Umno's, but Najib’s party, because whoever that criticises him gets sacked.

“I did not criticise the party, I only criticised Najib,” he stressed.

Umno AGM: If invited, I'd go

Meanwhile, asked whether he would attend the Umno annual general assembly, Mahathir said he would do so if he is invited.

“If I’m invited, I would go. It’s my party, not Najib’s party alone.

“To exclude those who do not agree with Najib means it has become Najib’s party so we can no longer call it Umno.

“Umno is for all Malays. I’m Malay, too,” he pointed out.

Umno vice president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday said Mahathir has been invited for the Umno annual general assembly.

Meanwhile, Mahathir also commented on the decision to prevent Muhyiddin from officiating the Umno wings’ assemblies, pointing out that this was proof that the party no longer follows traditions.

“Because this person is considered as someone who does not agree with Najib. This, again, proves that Umno has become Najib’s party,” he said.

Citing party protocols, Mahathir said Muhyiddin should be given the chance to speak if he wants to do so.

“If not, don’t talk about democracy if one must only compliment Najib to speak. This is no longer Umno,” he said.

Mahathir has been relentless in his attacks against Najib and has repeatedly called for Najib's resignation over the 1MDB issue.

He recently warned that no single party should rule a country forever.