Opening the Umno wings’ assembly this evening, Zahid, without mentioning Mahathir’s name, advised the elder statesman to take good care of “Boboi”.

“Boboi” is a term of endearment Umno leaders have for Mahathir’s son, Mukhriz.

“Do you remember once upon a time, an admiral said ‘Melayu mudah lupa’ (‘Malays forget easily’) and ‘Melayu haprak’ (‘Malays are worthless’),” Zahid said, referring to a popular quote of Mahathir’s.

“Now he is saying that we are taking ‘dedak’ (a euphemism often used to describe bribes).

“Unfortunately, this admiral has jumped off the Umno ship. But who is the worthless one now? Who actually took ‘dedak’?”

Zahid then mentioned that the “admiral” had quit Umno three times, while Zahid said he had always remained loyal to the party.

“So to the ‘Melayu mudah lupa’ out there, I want to say, take good care of Boboi .”

He also made a snide comment about those who had left the party, remarking that these people had forgotten what Umno had done for them.

“That’s how that person could become a menteri besar.”

Mukhriz was appointed Kedah menteri besar, but resigned from the post later following attacks by him and his father on Umno and its president, Najib Razak.