After falling silent for the first 24 hours following Dr Mahathir Mohamad's hard-hitting criticism, a pro-Umno website has come out with all guns blazing to counter the former premier.

Among others, it published an article which questioned if Mahathir would target Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's wife Rosmah Mansor next.

The MyKMU.net article was based on the former premier's modus operandi when attempting to oust Najib’s predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the aftermath of the 2008 national polls.

It noted how Abdullah's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin was the focus of the attack then.

"This is not about whether there is proof or otherwise.

"If it is about proof, Mahathir would not link Najib to the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu because the case has been decided by the courts. What has Najib got to do with it?

"But this is about creating a negative perception towards Najib using his wife," read the article.

The article stated that Mahathir would most probably "hijack" the opposition's claim that Rosmah interfered in the administration of Umno and the country.

It stated that stories regarding Mahathir's wife Siti Hasmah Ali not having meddle in national affairs during the former premier's 22 years in office are being circulated in the social media.

"Why is this being done if not to be compared with Rosmah later?" it asked.

What if the puppet master becomes senile?

Another article on the website argued that Malaysians do not want a remote-controlled prime minister or a puppet to helm the state.

It also featured a photograph of Najib's face stitched to Mahathir's to illustrate the point.

Pointing out that Mahathir is disgruntled because the prime minister did not heed his call, the article recalled how when the former premier was the Petronas adviser, he had conceded that the management need not follow his advice.

"So who appointed him as Najib's adviser to the point that Najib must resign for not following his pointers?

"Do Malaysians want a prime minister like that (controlled by Mahathir)?

"And what would happen to the nation if the person controlling the puppet dies, becomes senile or loses his memory?" it asked.

The article also argued that one of the reasons Mahathir wanted Anwar Ibrahim out was because he feared the latter would be a puppet of foreign powers.

"Seems like Mahathir is anti-puppet leaders. So what happened now?" it asked.

Related stories

BN MPs want Najib to stand up to Mahathir

PAS to IGP: Show proof when disputing Dr M

No Dr M-Najib rift, firefights Umno man

Kadir points to Rosmah hurdle in ousting Najib

Altantuya murder - the missing links

Sue Mahathir to clear name, Rafizi tells Najib

Perfect PM - out of frying pan into fire for Dr M

All eyes on Muhyiddin as Dr M pressure cooks Najib