Though Zainuddin Maidin has decided to raise the white flag as far as political commentaries are concerned, the former minister did so by unleashing a parting shot.

It came in the form of a note he penned below a comment on his blog, Zamkata, made by another veteran journalist, Ahiruddin Attan, who blogs as Rocky’s Bru.

“Rocky was the first to voice out on the dismantling of the dynasty (in Umno), followed by (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) and myself. Destroy the dynasty,” Zainuddin wrote.

Last week, Mahathir, who is speculated to be on the warpath with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, claimed that his caution against political dynasties in Umno was not targeted at Najib.

"I did not say anything about Najib. I made a general statement. If anyone felt slighted, that is their problem," the former prime minister added with sarcasm.

In bidding farewell to Zainuddin, Ahiruddin said that he was reminded of the classic song ‘Vincent’, by Don McLean.

 

"Now I understand what you tried to say to me And how you suffered for your sanity. And how you tried to set them free. They would not listen, they did know how. Perhaps they will listen now," he said, citing the lyrics.

Ahiruddin ( left ) also expressed hope that the former Utusan Malaysi a editor-in-chief, who is popularly known as Zam, would return to writing soon and “kick ass” again.

Yesterday, Zainuddin, a close associate of Mahathir, announced that he would cease commenting on current political affairs.

His blog has since been flooded with requests not to do so.

There were those who urged the former minister not to succumb to pressure and to keep churning out critical views on the current administration.

On the lighter side, one anonymous commentator remarked, “You go first. Najib will follow suit.”

Zainuddin then responded, “Tell me where to go. You want Najib to follow me. I already stop.”

There were also those critical of him.

For example, a commentator with the username Kluangman jibed, “If you see Zam and a snake, which do you hit first? Happy retirement... your struggle is over.”   

Umno insiders claimed that Zainuddin could have been pressured  to stop writing by those in the prime minister’s faction.