DEPUTY Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says that he only respects former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s age but not his opinions.

This is following Dr Mahathir’s remarks that likened Umno as “nothing more than a fly in the government.”

“I respect his age but I do not respect his opinions,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Umno president, when met by reporters after attending the Chinese New Year celebration organised by MCA here on Wednesday (Jan 29).

The veteran politician, who will turn 100 in July, had quoted Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming who refused to engage in arguments with Umno youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

“According to Nga, Umno is just a fly while he (Nga) is a lion.

“This means that Umno has accepted being a fly because it is afraid of the lion,” said Dr Mahathir.