Photos of Zahid embracing him sets tongues wagging, and the ex-minister is flooded with phone calls and text messages.

After Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi visited his residence, former minister Zainuddin Maidin quipped that it does not mean he would not be arrested or vice-versa.

In a blog-posting, Zainuddin noted how photographs of the visit, which included Zahid embracing him, had set tongues wagging after it was posted on the deputy prime minister's Facebook page and Twitter.

Menziarahi Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin di kediaman beliau. #AZH

Posted by Zahid Hamidi on Thursday, 15 October 2015

Better known as Zam, the former Utusan Malaysia editor-in-chief said he was flooded with phone calls and text messages regarding the visit.

"Many asked why Zahid came to my house.

"I believe this question arose because I am critical of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and because I questioned Zahid's criticism of those who were against 1MDB.

"This does not mean that I would not be arrested or he (Zahid) would not be arrested as what happened to the late A Samad Ismail and Abdullah Ahmad when Hussein Onn took over the premiership when the second PM passed away," he said.

Zainuddin, who has been a staunch critic of Najib and a known ally of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, further explained that Zahid was his deputy when he was information minister.

He said Zahid wanted to visit him for a long time as he still viewed the former minister as his boss.

"Although I have retired, during many events or meetings, he still referred to me as boss. The most recent was his speech during the presentation of the National Journalism Award to (former Berita Harian group editor) Ahmad Rejal Arbee.

"Zahid stressed in his speech that if someone is considered his teacher, he would call him that and as Tan Sri (Zainuddin) was my boss, I would still call him boss," he added.

Zainuddin also described Zahid as politically savvy, efficient and a nationalist who has deep religious knowledge.

"We are thankful for Zahid's visit and wish him all the success in his political life," he said.