Lim Kit Siang has unleashed a linguistic tirade on Umno and accused its cybertroopers of misunderstanding his remarks about ex-deputy premier Muhyiddin Yassin.

In a sarcastic swipe, he said, "University of Umno graduates", whether ministers, bureau chiefs or cybertroopers, should attend English lessons to avoid such mistakes in future.

The source of his frustration is the claim that he had described Muhyiddin as his "latest recruit" for the "Save Malaysia" agenda, which prompted the latter, who is also Umno deputy president, to issue a denial.

"I never said Muhyiddin was my 'latest recruit' in my speech at the Johor Pakatan Harapan Chinese New Year Open House on Sunday night," he clarified in a media statement.

"Only the dumbest and those grossly deficient in understanding English might arrive at that conclusion," added the DAP veteran.

Recalling his speech, Lim said that he had stated: "The latest recruit to the 'Save Malaysia' agenda is none other than former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin whose message at the Chinese New Year Open House in Pagoh was the urgent and imperative need for Malaysians to unite to 'Save Malaysia' from becoming a 'failed state'."

The Gelang Patah lawmaker also pointed out that he does not have a monopoly over the words "Save Malaysia", adding that it is the responsibility of every patriotic Malaysian, including Umno's three million members, to safeguard the nation.

"Whether the 'Save Malaysia' campaign inside or outside Umno can find a meeting point, only time will tell," he added.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin described Lim's statement as a "personal" opinion and clarified that he was speaking about the state of Malaysian affairs on his own accord.

"I was never recruited by anyone to stand up for the truth. What I voiced out stems from my own awareness about the fate that is befalling the rakyat and nation.

"I understand deeply the rakyat's concerns about what would happen to Malaysia if several crises as a result of the prime minister's leadership persist," he added.