Dr Mahathir Mohamad should opt to keep his lips pursed instead of "confirming he is stupid", says Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz.

The Umno leader, known for his vitriolic remarks against the former premier, was responding to Mahathir claiming the government is cash-strapped and therefore Budget 2017 was meaningless.

"If the government has got no money how are we going to run the country next year?" said Nazri when met outside the parliament lobby this afternoon.

"Please tell him to shut up.

"It is better for him to keep quiet and for people to think he is stupid rather than for him to open his mouth and confirm that he is really stupid," he added.

Nazri also said that Mahathir had gone senile and was throwing tantrums to get back at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for ousting the former premier's son, Mukhriz.

However he noted that none of Mahathir's attacks against Najib have had any effect.

Mahathir, who is now Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairperson, is on a warpath to unseat Najib.

He claimed that the prime minister is corrupt, and leading the country to ruin.