SEMENYIH: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who recently made headlines on social media for the "apa malu bossku" (what's the shame my boss) moniker, says the "real boss" is actually Malaysians themselves.

Najib said that although "bossku" translates to "my friend" according to Sabahan culture, the catchy word actually bore a different meaning to the former Barisan Nasional president.

"When someone says 'bossku' to me, it reminds me that my boss is actually Malaysians.

"The people is our boss. As a Barisan leader, we must realise that the people is our boss. Don't be arrogant and egoistic. We must realise that Malaysians decide our future," he said.

Najib was speaking during a ceramah held at Bandar Rinching for the looming Semenyih polls on Friday (Feb 22).

Elaborating further on his explanation, Najib said that when someone says "apa malu bossku", it doesn't mean that they have no shame (malu) for themselves.

"Even if we live in a small house or a small car, we shouldn't be ashamed. We should be grateful for what we have.

"That is why, we are 'malu' not because we are not ashamed, but we feel a great degree of gratitude for what we have at present," he said.

Meanwhile, in an apparent jibe towards his newfound fame as a troll on social media, Najib said that he found himself even more popular with Malaysians compared to his former tenure as prime minister.

"I'm proud because I have garnered an extraordinary support. It wasn't like this at all when I was prime minister. I'm also confused actually.

"Prime Ministers are supposed to get better support but when I'm no longer one, I'm even more popular," he quipped, drawing laughter and cheers from the audience.

Najib also claimed that during his visit to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) earlier on Friday, a lecturer had approached him with a research paper, saying that his traction on Facebook was organic.

"The lecturer told me that the study is to see whether my support is organic or it's mainly generated by cyber-troopers.

"In conclusion, my support in Facebook is genuine. In fact, the cyber-troopers are actually ordinary Malaysians themselves."

Najib praised Malaysians as being brave for defending him against attacks by Pakatan Harapan leaders on social media.

"I saw that when a leader tries to criticise me, Malaysians would attack them back. In fact, Malaysians will criticise them until they go silent."

The Pekan MP said that Malaysians aren't easy fooled anymore, as leaders who made arguments without basis will be called out in public.

"We give the facts and the people will conclude whether it's correct or not. That's how it should be."

Najib said he would never resort to slander because he claimed that he was a victim of vicious lies as well.

"I don't want others to be a victim of slander. I will provide facts and let Malaysians decide," he added.

He urged the people to vote for Barisan in the looming Semenyih polls to send a message to the Pakatan government - that Malaysians will never want to be lied to anymore.

"You can fool the people once, but not all the time," he added.

The Semenyih polls, which is set to take place on March 2, will see a four-cornered fight between Barisan, Pakatan, Parti Sosialis Malaysia and an independent candidate.