Hi not sure of your intended usage but in 4. of the link you provided it references your run a command and leave the terminal open question.
" Lastly, exec bash ensures that the Bash terminal stays open even after the code has been executed."
Note: It mentions gnome-terminal which is mate-terminal in MATE.
It seems to be involved with scripts. Are you trying to follow a bash tutorial?
Or just using the terminal. I use it and when not using script it stays open after each command I enter.
Maybe a more precise example of what is failing for you.