Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia has launched a broadside against Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob, calling him arrogant and warning him not to “overstay” his welcome.

The stinging criticism follows the Cameron Highlands mud flood on Wednesday which claimed three lives.

In an editorial piece by Awang Selamat, the newspaper’s official pseudoym, it said Adnan was incapable of resolving illegal land clearing which caused repeated flooding in Cameron Highlands and could only provide “excuses”.

“His leadership style is no longer suitable even though his supporters argue that he has the charisma to control the unique politics in Pahang.

“But the grassroots want change. Other states have already changed menteris besar but Pahang still has the same person whose rating and popularity has fallen,” it said in Mingguan Malaysia , the Sunday edition of Utusan Malaysia .

The newspaper said Adnan needed to accept this reality and not be a liability for Umno and Pahang.

It added that had Adnan retired, BN would have performed better in Pahang.

The daily also took issue with Adnan lashing out at the media for reports critical of his administration, claiming the menteri besar was incapable of accepting criticism.

“This is the problem if someone has been in position for a long time and is content in one’s comfort zone, they become afraid of their own shadow,” it said.

Utusan said there had been many complaints from other media practitioners that Adnan appeared arrogant and is easily angered by criticism.

Adnan, who has been in power since 1999, has often courted controversy over his blunt style of leadership.

Adnan had defended his administration over the recent mud floods, instead blaming residents for illegally clearing new lands at vulnerable areas.

In November 2012, he declared to journalist that people could “cut off my ears” if BN is defeated in the parliamentary seat of Bentong in the last general election.

The menteri besar in March the same year lashed out at the Chinese press, repeatedly calling them “stupid” for reporting his statement on the Lynas issue.

He reportedly pushed the camera held by a photographer and challenged them to publish pictures of his outburst.