Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has lambasted those who resort to disparaging terms after suffering a political setback.

He said those who described recipients of government aid as “pemakan dedak” (someone who consumes animal feed) want to undermine the aid disbursed.

Though he did not mention names, his remarks appeared to be aimed at his former mentor-turned-nemesis Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“In this good day and month (of Ramadan), there are certain quarters who are behaving in an extreme manner in their language to others.

“Government assistance is always given to help the rakyat but it is now labelled as giving dedak,” he said in a Facebook post.

The prime minister said the BN government builds houses, roads and schools for the people, and this should not be equated with animal feed.

“Dedak should not be equated with the assistance that is given (by the government) out of concern about the rakyat's needs.

“Do not resort to rhetoric when you are losing political modal and use derogatory words to downgrade those who receive assistance,” he added.

Mahathir and those aligned to him have often accused those of supporting Najib as having eaten “dedak” or being bought over.

The former premier suffered a blow in his attempt to unseat Najib when his call on voters in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar to reject the latter’s premiership went unheeded.

BN won both the by-elections with thumping majorities.