Former minister Zainuddin Maidin has praised Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail over her revelation that she had rejected the offer to become prime minister following Pakatan Harapan's victory in the May 9 general election.

He was commenting on former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Noor criticising Wan Azizah, who is the deputy prime minister, for disclosing that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V had offered her the top post.

However, Zainuddin, who is better known as Zam, described Ezam's view as “backward” and “not in favour of the people”.

“Syabas Wan Azizah. You are honest, brave and saved (Prime Minister Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad's) and the rakyat's pride. Great!” he tweeted.

Yesterday, Ezam, who heads the Hisbah Centre For Reform (Hisbah), claimed it was inappropriate for Wan Azizah to reveal the details because it was a closed- door audience with the Agong in Istana Negara.

He also urged the deputy premier to focus on her duties as opposed to talking about posts.

At a recent event with Malaysians in Jakarta, Wan Azizah said she had turned down the post of prime minister to honour Harapan's promise to voters that Mahathir would be number one and she, number two.

Wan Azizah, who was the then PKR president, had been offered the position in accordance with the convention, where the leader of the party with the most seats in the Dewan Rakyat becomes the prime minister.

However, veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin argued that convention aside, it was common knowledge that Harapan's prime minister-designate was Mahathir.

Kadir, who is Mahathir's adviser on media and communication, also claimed that several sultans had campaigned to prevent the 93-year-old politician from returning to power.