Former cabinet minister Rafidah Abdul Aziz has given a tongue lashing to Umno supreme council member Nazri Abdul Aziz and its information chief Annuar Musa for their recent remarks about her.

In a statement to Malaysiakini, the former international trade and industry minister, dubbed 'Iron Lady', said the two lawmakers should stop diverting the people's attention from the "misdeeds and nonsense that is causing so much concern for the right-thinking rakyat".

Earlier today, Nazri, who is also culture and tourism minister, had called Rafidah an "old woman who rants too much" and is bitter about losing (her Wanita Umno chief post) to current chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

Annuar had said that Rafidah and her fellow former minister, Rais Yatim, might have an ulterior motive in voicing out against the 1MDB and the current administration.

The two veteran politicians have especially been vocal on the government's stance on the seizure of Penang-born businessperson Low Taek Jho's (Jho Low) luxury yacht Equanimity in Bali, Indonesia, in late February, by the Indonesian police and the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

Below is Rafidah's statement, reproduced in full:

Hey, both of you, Nazri and Annuar.

Stop diverting the people's attention from the misdeeds and nonsense that is causing so much concern for the right thinking rakyat. I have no interest whatsoever in holding any post in any party…least of all, in government. I spent half a century in politics.

To Nazri, by the way… who is Shahrizat? Is she the woman whose husband still owes the rakyat almost 1/4 billion…from that so-called National Feedlot Corporation? Who got fed?

When will the rakyat get their money back (which the government collected through our various taxes, GST, and other fees and charges)?

Please attend to these problems…not bother about my age. And don't ever question my right to speak on issues affecting this country. I don't even think of you in my daily life! Focus on putting right, the wrongs already done.

To Annuar...do stop talking rubbish. What I say about this country is my right...Unless you feel pedas (feel the heat).

And what is it that you want to "awas" (watch)? Are you the Gestapo?

Why is Jho Low not watched...and those involved in crime, who are being investigated by foreign governments? Those who put the country and rakyat to shame?

Just remember...Allah is watching all of you, do not forget that.

And for your information, I have not paid Umno membership fees for almost 10 years. Did the information chief not check the membership list?

Technically, I am no longer an Umno member. The party has been tarnished, shamed by those appointed as leaders. The plight of the Malays and Bumiputera can no longer be left in the hands of Umno to be championed, let alone the interests of other races.

Stop disgusting politics and personal attacks. Focus on issues and the country's problems.