Any UMNO leaders are challenged to sue Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad if they feel his remarks addressed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak are not true and merely slanderous.

Former Batu Kawan UMNO vice-president, Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan said UMNO leaders have also been urged to sue him if they deemed every facts given on the country's strategic investment company, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) were lies.

If the 1MDB issue is slanderous, then sue all of us who are struggling to fight embezzlement that had occurred in the company. We have no personal interests… this is public money and government fund. It must be managed in all honesty and transparency in the interests of national economy.

“Dr Mahathir’s spirit is too strong to ensure the welfare of the nation and the state is properly maintained. Dr Mahathir previously was firm with Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his move to appoint Najib as deputy prime minister then.

"Dr Mahathir lauds the services and kindness of Najib late’s father, Tun Abdul Razak but now what choice does Dr Mahathir has in ensuring that UMNO and Barisan Nasional continue to be relevant at the 14th General Election,” said Khairuddin to Astro AWANI, here today.

Khairuddin was commenting on the statement by UMNO Supreme Council Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who described the 'friction' between Dr Mahathir and Najib may be seen complicated and would inevitably impact UMNO but that does not mean there is no way form an understanding and unity.

Annuar also concluded that the sole way to rejuvenate UMNO to its prime was by unity and not sacrifice any leaders just because of slander.

Meanwhile Khairuddin said, so far, Dr. Mahathir’s vacillations had been based on a strong foundation and accurate.

"We must be bold enough to address the facts and avoid from giving wrong information to leaders as that will backfire.

"Once UMNO and BN lost their power, we will lose their powers forever. Unfortunately, many have failed to understand or pretend not to understand for the sake of their positions today.

"For this reason, I am confident that Dr Mahathir is worried particularly on corruption issues that had happened too rampant that can break down the economic institutions or even a nation," he said.

He also said that there are numerous young leaders who are charismatic and honest in their struggle that UMNO should take centre stage if party leadership needs to be reformed.