“Biawak hidup” is a Malay idiom that refers to people who spend their lives taking advantage of others and generally being a burden.

Speaking at a Ramadan event in Masjid Jamek As-Solihin in Banting today, Zahid said such groups comprised “22%” of criticisms against the government.

“We must move towards ensuring the majority are pro-establishment, because these 22% are usually anti-establishment,” Malay Mail Online quoted him as saying, though it said Zahid did not provide the source of his figure.

In a recent episode of his “Keluar Sekejap” podcast, Khairy said Umno was a burden to the unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

However, Zahid said the “former famed individual”, ostensibly referring to Khairy, should ask himself if he is the true “biawak hidup” instead.

Zahid also took aim at critics of the central database hub (Padu), who had made allegations of possible data misuse by the economy ministry spearheading the initiative.

He said anti-establishment groups, even if they are part of the government, always think they are infallible.

“There are too many such groups in the country, and if we do not curb (this problem), these people will be the true ‘biawak hidup’,” he said.