KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad responded today against Umno’s accusation that its critics were trying to cover up the weakness of the Opposition, with the former prime minister saying any attacks were born out of worry that the party may win the 15th general election (GE15).

The former prime minister said in a statement that if Umno’s wickedness is not publicly exposed, then voters may wish to irrationally vote for it again due to the party’s propaganda.

"That is why it is the responsibility of those who love the nation and the country to remind voters of the wickedness of the Umno government under the leadership of Najib and his allies,” the Parti Pejuang Tanah Air chairman said, referring to the incarcerated Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He warned that the country’s politics have become unstable with weak and incompetent governments, causing its economic performance to deteriorate due to the mounting debt payments.

"It is clear that if the Umno government is not ended, Malaysia will experience a worse situation. Recovery is not possible.

"All the mistakes and failures of Umno need to be exposed so that the people who love the country and nation will reject Umno in GE15,” he added.

Earlier this month, Dr Mahathir predicted that disgraced former prime minister Najib would be released from jail if his graft-tainted ruling party wins an upcoming general election.

Najib began a 12-year jail term in August after being convicted in the first of several cases related to the looting of billions of dollars from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Criminal prosecution of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is facing 47 graft charges in a case unrelated to 1MDB, will also be dropped, Dr Mahathir previously claimed.

Najib and Zahid have both pleaded not guilty, saying they are victims of a political vendetta.

They were both prosecuted, along with other party leaders, after Umno lost the 2018 election for the first time in Malaysia’s history as voters punished the party for 1MDB and other corruption scandals.

Malaysia goes to poll on November 19 as announced by the Election Commission.