Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos torched cardboard cutouts of Zaid Ibrahim outside the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), where Umno is holding its annual meet, in Kuala Lumpur this evening.

The images of the former law minister also bore the words “pengkhianat, kurang ajar, biadap (traitor, rude, insolent)”.

“He has once again insulted and acted in an insolent manner towards our sultan. I want to tell Zaid, you have to step over our dead bodies before uttering rude remarks about the sultan.

“I feel we have to teach Zaid a lesson this time because his action is extremely rude and crossed the line,” Jamal told reporters.

The Umno leader, who is known for his controversial antics, said Zaid could hurl insults at him day and night but not the sultan.

“I don't care if you scold me for 24 hours. But never, ever insult or utter rude words towards our sultan,” he added.

Zaid had courted the wrath of Umno leaders when he commented on Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's rebuke of Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Tweeting a Malaysiakini article quoting the sultan's warning that Mahathir's anger could raze the nation, the former minister said: "Sultan Selangor should be careful with his words. No one is immune when the country burns."

“When some rulers play politics; they must know the consequences. Don't think there’s no price for partisanship,” he added.

Earlier today, Selangor Umno liaison committee chairperson Noh Omar said a public rally would be held outside the palace in Shah Alam on Sunday to express support for the sultan in the wake of Zaid's remarks.

He added that a police report would also be filed urging that the former minister be investigated under the Sedition Act.

In an exclusive interview with The Star, Sultan Sharafuddin had rained criticisms on the former premier.

The sultan also denied that the rulers were exacting revenge on Mahathir for curtailing their powers when he was prime minister.