“Who did we lose under (in the last general election)? What kind of advice can he give us?

“I think it is regressive,” he told reporters in the Parliament lobby when asked to comment on Najib’s appointment.

On claims that BN had lost the polls due to slander, Nazri said: “Slander or what, you reply in the court of law. You are being charged, okay?”

Former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein said whether Najib’s appointment would strengthen the party remained to be seen.

“The appointment has just been made,” he said. “We need to observe. Things don’t change overnight.

“You prove your sincerity by your actions. If your actions are for the bigger picture such as unity, stability, focus on the economy and the future of the country and the people, I don’t think anybody can accuse you and claim conspiracy.”

Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob meanwhile said the appointment was something new for BN as there was previously no advisory board.

“I welcome Najib as an adviser for the coalition. We have the same board in Umno, chaired by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. The roles are similar.

“We thank Najib for being willing to serve the party,” he added.