Umno-owned newspaper Utusan Malaysia today brushed off former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's criticism of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, saying the veteran politician has always been "provocative".

"Mahathir, like other citizens, have a right to voice his views be it good or bad.

"Since he began in politics, that has always been his style - to criticise, give ideas and create provocations," the newspaper said under its editorial pseudonym Awang Selamat.