Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has reminded former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Umno members were “deaf, dumb and blind” during his time as the party’s number one leader as well.

“It was like that too, then. It was the same during his time,” Tengku Razaleigh, who is widely known as Ku Li, said at a press conference today.

Ku Li was responding to Mahathir, who accused Umno leaders and members of being "deaf, dumb and blind" in their support of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Ku Li, as he is commonly known, instead pointed out how he had no space at all during Mahathir's time.

Asked who was more of a dictator – Najib or Mahathir – Ku Li said there has only been one admission on the matter.

“He was the one who admitted that he’s a dictator. (So) I can't say that he is not a dictator because he said he’s a dictator.”

Country's grave political situation

Mahathir, during a press conference after the Citizens’ Declaration last Sunday, admitted that he was previously a dictator.

However, he jumped to clear his name at Pakatan Harapan's "Save Malaysia Consensus" rally at the Pandan Indah field in Ampang last night, saying he was willing to step down while other dictators, such as Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, remained in power until they drew their last breath.

Ku Li also lamented on the current grave political situation the country is in. Apart from Umno, he noted that the opposition is also fractured.

Aside from the worsening economy and the falling of the ringgit, Ku Li maintained his stance that the goods and services tax (GST) is regressive.

“All these are taken into account – the rakyat are worried. When I talk to taxi drivers and the common man, all of them express their worry, not for today, but for the future,” he said.

Stressing that there must be change, Ku Li said the “whole system” must be changed, instead of just one man.

“I support what is best for the rakyat. If a particular thing gives problems to the rakyat, then I will not support it,” he replied when asked whether he supported the country’s current leadership.