Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Umno's culture of allowing dissent has given way to a more autocratic rule now, claiming that this has killed off democracy within the party.

Mahathir, who once received criticisms for enacting draconian polices while in office, turned the tables and described Umno as being beleaguered with a new 'culture' of authoritarianism that slams dissenting voices from the grassroots.

Speaking at a thanksgiving ceremony organised by Padang Jual Umno division in Kuala Pillah, Negeri Sembilan, the former premier and Umno president said Umno's cause is to serve and protect the needs of the Malay community and should not be tied down if the party's leadership has failed to do so.

Describing the party's history of having survived the departures of some of its earlier leaders, Mahathir said that Umno's struggle 'is far from over' and warned that the party is showing signs that it might be forgetting the party's original objectives.

"In our country, within Umno, there is no longer democracy. What there is left is an iron fisted rule of Umno that uses the government to obstruct people from speaking with one another. This is a culture that is new, the culture of misusing power to maintain's one position," he lamented.

At least 500 people turned up for the event that was held in a field near the village's community hall. Present were Padang Juang division chief Abu Samad Mahat and Mahathir's wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

"Now if there are people who want a little freedom, they are warned that action would be taken to stop theim from airing their views," he added.

Mahathir said that whoever does not bow down to "orders from the top, his name would be recorded.

"And when a certain time comes for selection of branch or division leaders, or as election candidates, that person's name would be off the list," he said.

Not Umno's way

Mahathir said that even if a certain dissenting group is small, they have the right to give their opinions. "To stop them from meeting certain leaders or expressing their views is not the way of Umno."

"Now we have a party that is no longer following the constitution of Umno. Today for example, everyone here feels the pressure, even just to be present.

"Today I did not expect such a crowd [ applause ] to hear a former leader, who is already aged, senile and can no longer speak [ laughter ]. They (Umno leadership) say they love this leader. This is why he should not be allowed to be here and there to speak.

"It is because of love that we bar him from moving. It is better for him to sit on his bed, waiting for his time," he said.

"This is what is hoped by those (in power) and it is not love that drives them. Actually they are in a state of fear. If it is not fear, then what is wrong to hear what other people say. If we are true, we can deal with any criticisms easily."

"But because we are afraid of one person (Mahathir), then there must be because of some errors that we don't want our followers to know. It is not us (dissenting group) that is just afraid, of powers that will be used against us, those who are in power are also in fear, in fear of one person.

Mahathir claimed that many of his former colleagues are distancing themselves from him: "There are people who are afraid of being associated with me. Friends who sat in the same table as I did for 20 years today no longer want to be associated with me. And I accept this because this is a new culture within Umno, this is a new behaviour by Umno, behaviour that is unexpected."

The former prime minister also addressed recent name calling against him by Umno members: "All sorts of names have been thrown at me, beruk (ape), iblis (demon), and challenges whether I am anak jantan or anak betina (man or woman).

"This is not the place or time to determine anyone's gender. There are other times for that [ laughter ]."

"Brave yourself to hear other people's opinions. If you err, admit it and be prepared to correct it. We must continue Umno's struggle, because Umno's struggle is not over, and there are still a lot for Umno to accomplish," he said, in an apparent message to the party leadership.

Tribute to former leaders

Earlier in the speech, Mahathir described the role of previous leaders such as Umno founding father Onn Jaafar and first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. In both instances, Mahathir said when they departed after their ideas and opinions were no longer compatible with the party's direction, the struggles of the party continued.

"After Dato' Onn left, the struggle became stronger and firmer until in 1957, 49 years ago, the country achieved independence under the leadership of Tunku Abdul Rahman.

"We owe a lot to Tunku Abdul Rahman, but when he failed to fulfill the Malay struggle to obtain a measure of success for them (Malay community), and secara terhormat (utmost dignity), Tunku Abdul Rahman withdrew. After his withdrawal, Umno did not become paralysed but continued to be strong. And Umno under the leadership of Tun Abdul Razak became well known throughout the Islamic world.

"Because the struggle is not just for the leader, Umno is not the sole right of the leader. Umno belongs to all Malays. The struggle is for the people.

Ironically, the former prime minister did not correlate his examples to the current situation. He also did not refer to any Umno leader by name.

After he ended his speech, Mahathir did not hold his usual press conference and appeared slightly tired. During his speech, he said he was down with flu, and that he "nearly did not make it" to the ceremony.

Police officers and personal aides had also asked reporters to withhold their questions. "He would speak in Kubang Pasu," said personal aide Sufi Yusoff.