Since Pakatan Harapan chairperson recited a poem with the phrase "Melayu mudah lupa" (Malays forget easily) in the 2001 Umno General Assembly, his critics have at various times used the line against him.

The latest Umno leader to do so is Selangor BN information chief Satim Diman who, without directly mentioning Mahathir’s name, claimed that the former premier has now become the "Malay who forgets the most."

"The Malays would sometimes forget, and so it was mentioned that 'Malays forget easily'.

“But now the person who said that is the one who forgets the most," said Satim in his speech to about 50 settlers at Ladang Fermanagh, Kuala Langat today...