“Happy birthday. Hope Tun Dr Mahathir is blessed with abundance and good health,” he posted on his Facebook today without stating anything further.

Within an hour of his post, there were 21,000 likes and about 1,000 comments, mostly praising Najib for his magnanimity in wishing someone who had been “nasty” to him.

One follower said: “Although Atok (Dr Mahathir) had done bad things to Bossku, you still wish him good things.”

Another commentator said: “Bossku has only good wishes although Tun M hates him. You are an example of a leader with a big heart who has no vengeance and hates enemies absolutely.”

One follower advised Mahathir not to forget Najib’s birthday and wish him, too. “Not nice to fight in this old age. Do greet and high five each other when you all meet next.”

Many also took the opportunity to wish Mahathir “good health and a long life,” with some adding that he should retire from politics and not try to become a prime minister again.