Mahathir said the party had chosen a democratic system, not a feudal system, which allowed ordinary members to deny a leader who did no good to the party.
"It is a good system, which does not require revolution. However, when there is a member who dares to voice out his opinion, he will be accused of not respecting the leaders and this 'culture' should not have existed in a democratic system."
Mahathir cited an example: "When I decided to retire, I dreamed of enjoying a good life, meeting my friends from the Cabinet. I was, howerver, shocked, because all my friends were restricted from seeing me. I have never thought that this would happen, being totally separated from the party."
He again called for Abdullah to step down and the party to hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to explore the polls defeat as well as amending the party constitution to abolish the nomination quota system that is required for a candidate to contest in the party election that will start in July, culminating in the general assembly in December.
Mahathir also suggested the party have a presidential council to advice the party president and to limit his power.
"If there is such a council, the first advice to the president should be 'stop listening to the family'".
Present at the forum were Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, Mahathir's son Umno Youth exco Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, Umno Johor publicity chief Dr Puad Zarkashi and New Straits Times former editor Datuk Ahmad Talib.
A grassroots leader who raised a question to the panel on why the party was not considering re-accepting Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, agitated the rest of the audience and was immediately escorted away by the organisers.
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