The strength of Umno lies not with individuals such as the president, but with its members, said party president Najib Abdul Razak.

Thus, he said, the party will be just fine without its former stalwart Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"In fact when the late-Onn Jaafar, the founder of Umno, quit the party, Umno did not die just like that, but this party continues to make strides.

"That is why, when Mahathir said he would return to Umno, go ahead... it is not a problem for Umno," Najib was quoted as saying by Bernama.