“We must get our priorities right,” she said in a Facebook post today.

Rafidah, who was the international trade and industry minister between 1987 and 2008, said there were “just too many examples” of needless “fussing” in government and among politicians.

“Getting schoolkids to report to teachers on the praying regularity of parents, the uniforms of air hostesses, participants in swimming competitions, attire at hospitals, even the heritage lineage of individuals.

“And yet, the glaring abuses and various forms of corruption are not even glanced at,” she said.

She called on Malaysians to not to tolerate such meaningless discourse any longer to avoid these “arguments of nitpickers” becoming part of the “rules crafted by them and applicable to all of us”.

“Other nations are moving fast, leaving Malaysia behind,” she said, citing the advancement of technology as well as the quality of education and knowledge building as examples.

“While we are only quoting mere numbers, our peers are focusing on the actual implementation and development of what can effectively drive socio-economic development and elevate their competitiveness globally.”

Rafidah’s comments come after Terengganu’s exco member in charge of youth and sports, Hishamuddin Abdul Karim, demanded to know why a state directive that Muslim divers not participate in the 2024 Malaysia Games (Sukma) was ignored.

Following that, the Terengganu Amateur Swimming Association apologised on Monday for sending two Muslim girls to represent the state in the sport without the state government’s approval.

Earlier this month, The Sun Daily reported concerns raised by netizens after a student was apparently handed a questionnaire inquiring into his father’s piety.

Rafidah, who spent most of her career as a minister in Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration, also appeared to refer to an ongoing court case in which the former prime minister is suing deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over statements concerning his family’s ancestry.