Former minister Rais Yatim has cautioned that freedom of speech in Umno and freedom to criticise its leaders should not be downgraded to a footnote which could be ignored.

In a Facebook post last night, Rais responded to Umno information chief Annuar Musa who reportedly took a swipe at him, as well as former minister Rafidah Aziz, for calling on Malaysian authorities to investigate the 1MDB scandal.

"Umno information chief, do your duty to inform in a proper manner. Base your views on reality.

"The people are unhappy. Tan Sri Rafidah and I are not dangerous. The danger is on the other side," said Rais who alluded to the federal opposition pact Pakatan Harapan.

"Don't leave the right to speak up in Umno as only a footnote," said Rais.

Among others, Annuar reportedly claimed yesterday that the two Umno veterans were not only being unfair to the government with their criticisms, but could also harbour a sinister ulterior motive.

Rais, however, pointed out that freedom of speech is a right for all citizens and it has no age limit.

"He (Annuar) made it seems like the two of us have lost our right to speak up.

"As if these two people who are 74 and 75 are no longer qualified to give our views, or to have views that contradicted the mainstream view in Umno and the government," said Rais.

He also questioned whether only people who are younger would be allowed to criticise the country's political system and administration.

"Try and see, with the current turmoil, how many Umno members have come forward to offer their views?" Rais added.

He pointed out that if the numbers were very few, it was a sign that freedom of speech has been stifled by Umno.

Rais said while it was easy for Annuar to accuse him and Rafidah of being out of touch with Umno's grassroots, in reality, the party's current top leaders had become arrogant and unable to accept criticisms.

"Maybe Tan Sri Annuar has forgotten how I have always been a person who likes to offer criticisms and will not take offence if I'm criticised.

"And in fact, all the matters which were raised, I have presented it to the prime minister and deputy prime minister," he said. 

Among others, Rais listed out his previous criticisms on the inaction of Malaysian authorities over the 1MDB scandal despite probes in multiple jurisdictions, as well as his advice against the hastiness of the government in tabling the new anti-fake news law.

He maintained that the culture of speaking up against any wrongdoings should be preserved both within and outside Umno.

As special adviser to the government, Rais had previously insisted that he was only carrying out his duties and had no intentions to take a personal swipe at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.