Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz believes that former cabinet ministers Rais Yatim and Rafidah Aziz hold grudges against the current administration led by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

His response comes as the two have been increasingly critical of the government in light of the seizure of superyacht Equanimity by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and Indonesian authorities.

"The election is coming, and obviously these are all frustrated people.

"You know it's not easy to be dropped. If you have been minister for more than 10 years and suddenly you are dropped, you will still hold a grudge, even though you have been dropped in the last election.

"So, obviously, they still hold this grudge against the present leadership. So let them meroyan (whine)," Nazri told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Earlier this month Rais (photo) slammed Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak for defending businessperson Jho Low while Rafidah questioned why the authorities could not find Equanimity when she managed to do so a year ago.

Prior to the last general election, Rais was minister for information, communication and culture but was dropped as an electoral candidate in the 2013 general election.

Rais now serves as a special adviser to the government on sociocultural matters that gives him the status as a minister.

Rafidah, on the other hand, served as international trade and industry minister from 1987 to 2008. She was dropped from cabinet following the 2008 general election.

On another matter, asked whether Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should accept MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong's challenge to debate on the Penang undersea tunnel issue, Nazri declined to comment.

"I don't know, you got to ask them. I'm not involved," he said

Lim had dismissed Wee's challenge on the grounds that the latter was "not qualified" to take on the issue.