Former Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad has told his successor Najib Abdul Razak not to take credit for Umno successes as though these are his (Najib’s) own achievements.

"I agree with (Najib's) speech that Umno has been successful in developing the nation," Mahathir said.

"But these are Umno's successes, not this leader's. Don't take credit as though that is his own success," the former long-term prime minister said when met outside the Umno general assembly at PWTC in Kuala Lumpur today.

"I myself never took credit (for the country’s successes)," Mahathir added.

Earlier, Najib told delegates that Malaysians should be grateful for the successes brought by the party.

"I wish all Umno members and rakyat would feel grateful for the life they have had and the wealth they have been enjoying as part of the party's struggle," Najib said in his policy speech at the opening of Umno general assembly.

Meanwhile, Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal rebutted Najib, saying that the criticisms against the party leadership do not mean disloyalty to the party.

"As a vice-president, I dare say I have done my best in helping the party and the president," Shafie said when met at Umno general assembly.

There are various ways of helping the party, the president and the government, he added.

"The role of a vice-president is not only restricted to implementing projects and campaigning to increase the votes (for BN).

"To ensure the government continues to be controlled by Umno, we also give advice and warning ( teguran ); we should respect each other's differences," he said.

"The advice and warning given by us do not constitute disloyalty to the party," he said.

The views given are important to ensure the government continues to be strong, he added.

"If we do not strengthen the party, but only strengthen the president, then we do not own the government," he said.

In his speech, Najib has outlined the role of the deputy president and vice-president as "assisting the president".