When Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah mounted a challenge against Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the Umno top post in 1987, the latter had come close to defeat.

It is often said that Mahathir was rescued by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, whom he now wants removed from power.

Recalling the episode, pro-Umno portal MyKMU.net said though he was only Umno Youth chief then, Najib's influence was seen as being instrumental in determining the victor.

"Najib's decision to support Mahathir is said to have saved Mahathir's career.

"If Najib had backed Ku Li (Tengku Razaleigh), many Umno veterans agree that Mahathir would have fallen," it said.

The portal, however, said it was pointless to rekindle Mahathir's lack of gratitude, adding that it was perhaps the former premier's innate nature.

On the other hand, MyKMU said despite Najib causing his defeat then, Tengku Razaleigh had no qualms inking a declaration to support the prime minister.

"This is the greatness of Ku Li, an Umno genius wasted by Mahathir.

"Perhaps being a veteran politician rich with experience and pure political principles, he acted wisely in supporting the prime minister for the stability of the nation," it added.

The portal said Tengku Razaleigh could have opted to be in Mahathir's camp, but chose not to do so.

"Perhaps he knows there is an ulterior motive behind Mahathir's action... That it breaches party ethics and he does not wish to set a bad example for the younger generation.

"Perhaps Ku Li does not wish to collaborate with those whom Mahathir himself had described as ‘syaitan’(demons) and 'racist'," it added in reference to the Citizens Declaration.

The declaration witnessed bitter political foes and NGO leaders once critical of Mahathir joining hands to call for Najib's ouster.

Yesterday, Tengku Razaleigh, who is also Gua Musang MP, had inked the Kelantan Declaration along with other state BN representatives, pledging their support for the prime minister.