Veteran journalist A Kadir Jasin today questioned why Umno is attacking Dr Mahathir Mohamad's soon-to-be-formed party, after it had already brushed off the former premier's announcement as harmless.

"Umno/BN leaders as well as their trumpet blowers seem unified in their view that there is nothing worrying about Mahathir's recently announced formation of a new party.

"That is the picture painted to me by the reports on mainstream media and pro Umno/BN social media postings," wrote the former New Straits Times group editor-in-chief in his latest blog post.

Yet, amid claims they are unafraid of the party, they have accused it of splitting the Malays and also alleged that Mahathir wants to displace Anwar Ibrahim as the de facto opposition leader.

"If the new party being proposed will fail and will not threaten Umno/BN, why are they attacking and hurling insults at it like toddy-drunks?" said Kadir.

He said Umno would be better served focusing on shoring up support and maintaining its own strength and well-being.

Kadir suspected Umno leaders were afraid the new party and grand opposition alliance may further weaken the ruling coalition.

"If they are not afraid, why did some release a fake list of the new party's leadership and started the campaign of slander against those they think will lead it?" Kadir asked.

He was referring to a list of the purported new leadership lineup for Mahathir's new party, which has been dismissed as fake by those named.

Kadir noted that before GE13, there were no scandals on 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion donation, Mahathir was still supporting Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, while subsidies were not yet rationalised and the goods and services tax (GST) still not implemented.

But even then, BN failed to regain a two-thirds parliamentary majority during the last national polls.

This made him wonder if the party leaders' spirited defence of Umno and its president was just hot air.

"Their cries reminds me of a rooster that just learned to crow, with discordant voice, lacking in harmony, and a behind slick with excrement.

"Overfed on dedak (animal feed) and chipped rumbia, its off-key crowing only makes people laugh," he wrote.