A pro-government Malay NGO has lashed out at Tourism and Culture Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz for his “arrogant and boastful” behaviour in defending his son’s appointment as special officer.

According to a report in the New Staits Times (NST) , Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) secretary Hamdan Mohd Salleh said Nazri is no longer relevant in the Malaysian political arena.

NONE Nazri (right) had earlier said he has the right to appoint anyone, including his son, to work in the ministry as it was his ministry.

"My son doesn't need to be paid. He has got a lot of money ...  his father is rich,” the minister reportedly said.

Responding to this, Hamdan said: “Perhaps Nazri and his son Muhammad Nedim ... should emigrate to an African nation where his political philosophy can be considered relevant.

"If Nazri thinks he is already rich, then he should just retire and go on a holiday.

“That way, his son does not have to work at the ministry any more and he will stop becoming a liability to the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and to Umno.”

The comments form part of a chorus of criticism against Nazri for appointing his son a ‘special officer’ at his ministry.

The designation has since been changed to that of special officer to the Padang Rengas MP, who is Nazri.

In a separate NST report, Nazri again attacked critics of his decision to hire his son, reportedly saying: “Who are all these stupid people who have been writing and complaining about this?

"I want them to check with the authorities if the appointment of Nedim is wrong and against the law.”

He went on the challenge his critics to lodge a report against him with the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Najib stood by him last week, saying that ministers are free to hire anyone as ‘special officers’, provided they are not on the government payroll.

In March, JMM was involved in a demonstration in which eggs and sticks were thrown at PKR supporters.

JMM then lodged a police report against Suaram for allegedly defaming Najib at a fund-raising dinner in July.