Continuing his defence of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's decision to maintain the Sedition Act, an Umno minister has dismissed claims that the legislation is needed to protect the party.

According to Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Umno is capable of doing battle without such tools.

“Umno fought its own battle. From the British, Communism and Confrontation.

“No need for Sedition Act to protect it. It's already battle hardened,” he tweeted today.

Yesterday, the urban-wellbeing, housing and local government minister blamed Malaysians for Najib rescinding on his promise to repeal the Sedition Act.

He said the prime minister’s “noble intention” was thwarted by Malaysians who spewed hatred.

However, Abdul Rahman’s latest tweet drew critical responses from other Twitter users, who among others, pointed out that the Umno now is not the same Umno.

One user with the handle, esKahn/M'sian, said: “Comelnya awak (You are cute). You are in Umno Baru, which the old guards refused to join. (The) only fight you guys do are for government contracts and party positions.”

Umno Baru was formed by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1988 after the courts declared Umno illegal following its election being deemed null and void.

Supporters of Mahathir’s opponent for the president’s post then Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah ( left ) had disputed the closely-fought contest and took the matter to court.

Another user, SV Balan said that the Umno of yesteryear is “gone for good”.

“What remains are the pathetic remnants with no ethics. Needs tongkat (crutch) called Sedition Act,” he added.

Disputing the minister’s claim that Umno does not need protection, user Nimalan Devaraja highlighted the case of Penang DAP assemblyperson RSN Rayer being charged under the Sedition Act for calling Umno “celaka”.

Users Henry Omar and Hazwan Razak, meanwhile, reminded Abdul Rahman that the British were fought with the help of Chinese and Indians, the communist with assistance from the Commonwealth and the confrontation with British aid.

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