Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had unleashed a vitriolic salvo on a politician, whom he believed could be a little senile due to his advanced age.

Observers claimed that the target was former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Some 24 hours later, a Facebook page for the supporters of Mahathir's son, Mukhriz, recounted the relationship between the Johor sultan's late father, Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail, and Mahathir.

The posting was based on a purported conversation between Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) member Adam Mukhriz Mohd Muhayeddin and Mahathir's wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Ali, which kicked off on the watch she was wearing.

“The watch is called Bvlgari (No idea how to pronounce this),” wrote Adam Mukhriz.

“Siti Hasmah related how the late sultan was fond of Mahathir, although he criticised and reprimanded the late sultan.

“The late sultan gifted a set of watches, one for Mahathir and one for her,” he added.

According to Adam Mukhriz, Siti Hasmah said it was the current sultan, who upon the request of his late father, who went to Singapore on his “big motorcycle” to purchase the watches.

The posting also stated that when the late sultan was ill and warded at the Gleneagles Hospital, Mahathir and Siti Hasmah visited him.

As the couple was leaving, the posting claimed, Mahathir was shocked to find Sultan Iskandar behind him, wanting to send them off to the elevator.

“How much fondness and respect the late sultan had for Mahathir.

“It was because of this, Mahathir was conferred the 'DK 1' award by the late sultan, which is the highest award from Johor,” reads the posting, accompanied with the hashtags #KongsiCeritaBenar (sharing a true story), #SejarahTidakMenipu (history never lies), #RakyatTidakLupa (the people won't forget) and #TidakNyanyuk (not senile).

Speaking at an event in Muar yesterday morning, Sultan Ibrahim criticised a politician, whom he claimed often accused the Malays of having short-term memory, but was now displaying a similar trait.

Among others, the Johor ruler said this politician had once described the opposition as his arch rival but now sat at the same table with them.