Zaid Ibrahim has reiterated his RM10,000 reward for the best essay that can prove Najib Abdul Razak to be the “worst prime minister”.

The former law minister said some felt he was not being serious, that he was merely responding to Umno information chief Annuar Musa's offer for a similar competition on whether DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang is a “racist and anti-Islam”...

“Umno offered more money but my competition is real and of far more interest to analysts, writers and serious thinkers.

“Umno's offer is not worthy of serious consideration – it is a cheap political gimmick and a sad reflection of the state this once major party is now in,” Zaid added in his blog posting.

According to him, Najib has numerous failures, and if he were to take part in the contest, his essay would focus on the prime minister's alleged “wanton disregard for truth”.

He accused Najib of using his office to blur the lines between truth and lies.

“Facts are spun into conspiracies and the opinions of those he disagrees with become a crime. People are asking if the truth is dead under this PM,” he said.

On this note, Zaid said Najib was no different from United States President Donald Trump.

'Americans still have a free press'

“Except Americans still have a free press and the media are not placed in a stranglehold as they are here. Institutions of government such as the FBI, justice department, police and judiciary are still independent of the president’s office.

“Colleges and universities are still capable of equipping young Americans with the tools of sound logic and reasoning, critical thinking and the search of truth,” he added.

In Malaysia, the former Umno MP claimed, the education system has produced weak minds that are unable to discern the simple facts of life.

“That is why we have bomoh who seek to find missing airplanes using coconuts, why students believe drinking holy water can give them As in their exams and why PAS still has followers who believe this party can help them get into heaven.

“It is also our education system that makes us wary of having a debate in a public place on a subject such as money laundering.

“Our education system has produced sycophants and cheap academics who support lies because they rely on political connections for their career advancement. Our institutions of government have become so politicised that those who helm the government are afraid of the prime minister.

“BN's complete control of the media makes it more difficult for people with weak minds to discern what is really happening in the world,” he said, accusing Najib of capitalising on this situation.

Providing a link that spells out the terms and conditions for the essay competition, Zaid urged participants to submit their entries before Sept 30, 2017.

Najib has repeatedly denied the accusations against him, blaming them on those conspiring to topple him from power.

The prime minister has also accused his rivals of fabricating issues to taint his reputation.