Najib, who was the defence minister twice for a total of 14 years, told the audience at a campaign event for Barisan Nasional in Sungai Kandis recently that Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, was not someone who exudes confidence when representing Malaysia abroad.

“Our defence minister is a cartoon. He wears the beret like a cartoon. He gets into the warship and talks about fish curry.

“You are the defence minister. Talk about the country’s defence policies, not about fish curry. This is not defence minister material. This is a joker,” he said.

Najib also said he had no confidence in Mat Sabu’s ability to engage with counterparts abroad, including with the US defence secretary.

“I cannot guarantee it if Mat Sabu is facing the defence secretary of the US, because he will be talking about fish. The defence secretary will be in a daze. He would ask, ‘What standards do we have in Malaysia?’ Strange, this type of person can become a minister,” Najib said.

Mat Sabu, known for his oratory skills and ability to attract large crowds to ceramahs, was among the first batch of senior ministers named by Dr Mahathir Mohamad after Pakatan Harapan’s polls victory in May.

In college, the former PAS politician studied food sciences, and fellow Internal Security Act detainees who spent time with him at the Kamunting detention camp have spoken about his culinary skills.

His first days as defence minister were spent visiting army camps and warships. In one such visit last month to join the navy for a buka puasa event aboard the KD Mahawangsa, he demonstrated his cooking skills, and joked that he could prepare a fish dish for them if they were allowed to fish in the oceans.