Three years ago, then-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak said that Malays would be "bastardised" (terbangsat) if Umno ever lost power.

Now out from office, Najib says this is exactly what is happening today.

"The Malays can't rely on the Pakatan Harapan government to defend and fight for them. This is because the strength of their Malay parties come from non-Malay support.

"So far, the Harapan government has allowed Bahasa Malaysia to be violated, and the Islam and bumiputera agenda does not have a central place in their administration.

"I have said that Malays will be bastardised in their own country if Umno loses power. We have lost power, and must be patient in facing challenges from God," he said in a Facebook posting tonight.

Najib did not cite any examples in his post.

However, last week Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng came under fire after posting a statement in Chinese on his personal Facebook page.

Lim was also chastised for issuing trilingual press statements in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese.

Harapan has insisted that it will uphold Malay rights, and that it forms a central tenet of its manifesto.

Stop the friendly fire

Meanwhile, Najib also called on Umno members to stop fighting each other, and to focus on strengthening the party.

"God willing, with stronger unity and love for the party, Umno can restore the people's confidence, especially the Malays," he said.

Najib had retained his position as Pekan Umno chief unopposed.

He had stepped down as party president on May 12, following the party's first ever general election defeat.