The newspapers, noted Zainuddin Maidin, are replete with articles of those expressing support for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

However, the former information minister cautioned against underestimating the impact of the wave generated by ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"Najib must get a credible and truthful report on how great the wave blown by Mahathir is.

"It has enveloped the entire nation, villages and towns, the upper and lower levels, schools and universities," he said in his blog.

On Monday, Mahathir launched a broadside on Najib, expressing disappointment with his leadership, among others, for repealing the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Umno must demand ISA's revival

Meanwhile, Zainuddin, who is popularly known as Zam, called on Umno divisions, which are holding their annual meets at present, to safeguard their president’s future.

To do so, he said, these divisions must demand Najib to resurrect the ISA, which was abolished by the current administration.

In making the call, Zainuddin also took a swipe at Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, whom he described as a "WOG (Western oriented gentleman)."

He also dismissed the youth and sports minister as a politician whose "feet have never touched the grassroots level".

Zainuddin said the Umno divisions' stand must then be taken to the party's annual general meeting in November for a decision to be made.

"If the United States is willing to be a neo-colonialist and dictator, killing thousands of innocent people based on ridiculous reasons and lies, why must we be afraid of doing this in the name of democracy, on the wishes of the majority of the rakyat who chose BN," he added.

Najib's biggest mistake

The former Utusan Malaysia editor-in-chief said abolishing the ISA to seek international fame was the prime minister's biggest mistake.

He added that Najib did this when the people were hoping that he would rebuild the ruins of the nation's "sacred policies" erected with the "blood and tears" of his father.

"What disappointed the majority of the rakyat was that Najib did not rebuild the ruins, but smashed them further, giving the opportunity to anti-national quarters to insult and

belittle the federal constitution which was fortified by the ISA," he added.

Zainuddin said Najib's action had also disappointed the police and Attorney-General's Office, who advised him to amend, and not repeal the security law, which allowed for detention without trial.

"Najib's intention was to build his name in the international stage without being concerned of how those in the country felt about it. He was seen as prostrating before the opposition.

"This is the same with Khairy who showed up at the protest over Gaza because he felt that it would make him more popular as opposed to joining a protest back home.

"For him, the international stage is more important than the youths who supported him to become the Umno Youth chief," he added.

No reason to feel guilty

However, Zainuddin stressed that "Najib is not Khairy", and that he had understood the prime minister's feelings since his days of heading Utusan Malaysia .

He also said there is no reason for Najib to feel guilty or fear that his pride would be affected if he revoked his "mistake" to abolish the ISA.

On the contrary, Zainuddin said such a move would strengthen his position and his image if he admitted that the absence of ISA had emboldened some to "taint the sanctity" of the constitution.

"Whatever tolerance, patience, compromise and diplomacy displayed by Najib will not see these people returning their support to BN," he said, cautioning the premier not to sacrifice what he has now by building castles in the air.

"Najib does not have to listen to me, who am I? My views can be used or discarded into the drain but the burning voice of the people cannot be extinguished," he added.

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