Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is unhappy that the coming Umno annual general assembly will not be as "fun" as how it used to be.

The former party president and the country’s longest serving prime minister today was asked whether a cover-up was happening since the assembly was being run in a very different way than previous Umno assemblies.

“I regret that it is less open. One of the things about the Umno general meeting (is that) it’s a very fun thing.

“People come, create ideas, (they are) very happy knowing that they are doing something for the nation," he told reporters at the Proton Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam today.

He further expressed regret how the idea of working for the nation has been restricted.

Meanwhile, asked whether he has received Umno’s invitation letter to attend the assembly, Mahathir said he considers Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s ( photo ) invitation for him to attend it as an open invitation.

“They don’t need to send me the letter, I will come,” he said.

Asked whether he will be given the opportunity to speak, Mahathir pointed out that he would be just a guest.

“I won’t have the chance because I am merely a guest. I can't give a speech,” he said.

Zahid on Saturday said that Mahathir has been invited for the Umno annual general assembly set to be held next week.