KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today he will attend the Umno annual general assembly if invited to do so, disputing claims that he will shun the affair even if asked to be present.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor previously told Malay Mail Online that he expected that the former party president will likely avoid the assembly regardless of whether he is invited or otherwise.

“If I am invited, I will go. This is also my party, not Datuk Seri Najib (Razak’s) party alone.

“Umno is for all Malays, I am a Malay too,” he told reporters after closing the KL summit by the Malaysia-Turkey Friendship Foundation (MTF), in collaboration with Malaysian Muslim Solidarity (ISMA).

The former prime minister said that if critics are barred from attending the assembly, it would mean that the party has been co-opted by the leadership and can no longer be called Umno.

The Star reported yesterday that Dr Mahathir will be invited to the December 10 opening of the assembly, citing Deputy Prime Minister and Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying the invitation will be sent soon.

Dr Mahathir continues to be critical of the party leadership and is demanding Najib resign as prime minister.

The Umno assembly will begin next week with the Wanita, Youth and Puteri assemblies on December 8 and 9, followed by the parent body’s meeting from December 10 to 12.

Najib will deliver his presidential address on the first day of the main assembly.