Normally, when Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak comes under fire from the opposition, there will be a beeline in Umno to defend him.

Websites such as Umno Online and MYKMU.net would quote an array of leaders, who would crawl out of the woodwork to defend their president.

This list would also include disgruntled former opposition figures with an axe to grind.

They would sing praises of Najib and his policies, arguing that under his stewardship, Umno, BN and the nation would revel in success.

But there has been an eerie silence on these websites regarding Mahathir's caustic salvo.

While Umno Online chose to focus on the Permatang Pauh by-election, MYKMU.net however published the statement of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president James Masing expressing confidence that BN would score a major victory in the next polls under Najib.

But there was no mention of Mahathir in the article.

Protecting the PM

Even Najib's number one defender, Cheras Umno chief Syed Ali Alhabshee opted not to enter into the ring to battle Mahathir.

Among all Umno division leaders, Syed Ali happens to be the most outspoken and productive when it comes to hammering the opposition and protecting the prime minister.

However, it seems that Mahathir is off limits even for him.

Meanwhile, Umno-linked newspapers such as the New Straits Times , Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia chose to highlight those defending Najib against Mahathir.

These dailies made no mention of the former premier's call on the police to investigate who issued the order to murder Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Mahathir also remarked that the slew of allegations against Najib has eroded the confidence of all races and BN would be defeated in the next polls if there is no change in leadership.