The country has been reminded not to just dwell on past successes, for Prime Minister Najib Razak’s administration is also “awesome” (hebat).

Officiating an event at Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur today, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the people should also be proud of the present administration.

Speaking of long-reigning past leader he did not name, Zahid said one shouldn’t be nostalgic, adding, “Admit that our present era is also awesome.

“If we have been in power and in leadership for over two-decades and feel the loss of that era is too heavy, when our own era has passed, admit too that the later areas are also great.

“We should admit if there isn’t the new, there wouldn’t be the old. Without the old, then there wouldn’t be the new. Only by loving the new, can one value the old.”

While Zahid did not specify, he was likely referring to Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister and former Umno chief Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Since quitting Umno to join forces with Pakatan Harapan, the former prime minister has been at the heart of Umno’s attacks, especially with the 14th general election looming.

Dr M becoming 'irrelevant'?

From dredging up two-decade old controversies to decrying his change of heart towards his former enemies in the opposition, attacks against Mahathir reached a new level last week when Zahid made an issue of the former’s Indian parentage.

Zahid questioned Mahathir’s motives for joining the opposition to take down the BN government that he had led for 22 years.

He said if the veteran continued to be nostalgic, he would no longer be relevant.

“That is the attitude that should be adopted by Muslims, by Malaysians.

“If we are nostalgic with the past, and we sideline what is new, then we ourselves become irrelevant,” he added.