Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi rebutted accusations of a policy flip-flop on importing more Bangladeshi migrant workers by saying that the former leaders had themselves acted similarly.

He said the government reversed certain policies in response to public calls and because it was sensitive to the people’s wishes.

Although he did not name anyone, his remark comes a day after former trade minister Rafidah Aziz made headlines by questioning why there had been a flip-flop on government policy.

Rafidah served in the government of Dr Mahathir Mohamad and has been vocal in criticisms of the government in recent months. For the past year, Dr Mahathir has been at the forefront of a campaign to oust Najib Razak as Umno president and prime minister.

Bernama reported that Zahid said: “The same former leaders had acted similarly for the people when they were in the government. Now that they are no longer in power or holding any position, they are accusing the government of ‘flip-flop’. Some of the leaders did not even make any changes for the people while they were in a position to do so.”

Zahid, who is home minister, speaking at an Excellence Award presentation ceremony for ministry staff, referred to the critics as ‘gila talak’ (meddlers).

“He thinks he is the cleverest, the best, the most excellent. His time is over, please respect the ruling government,” Ahmad Zahid said. He added that he was not specifically referring to any individual, Bernama reported.

However, his remarks appeared to be a clear reference to Dr Mahathir, who has accused other leaders of seeking to control the government and has similarly been reminded that his days in power were over.