PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The daughter of Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has slammed supporters of the Bersih weekend rallies for taking their demands to the streets in the name of defending the country.

Writing in Malay in a series of rants on Facebook Monday, Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid described the protests as a kerja bodoh (stupid work), and that it was better for supporters to join the army.

"If you really want to defend the country, go and join the army, and patrol the borders. Go and join Ops Pasir (military patrol in east coast waters of Sabah), you can experience all kinds of operations," she said. "Don't think that just because you're wearing yellow and that you got to be on papers and TV, you can be proud."

According to organisers, the weekend demonstrations - aimed at calling for Prime Minister Najib Razak's removal over a financial scandal - drew more than 200,000 people. Many turned up to the capital Kuala Lumpur clad in the group's yellow shirts for the largely peaceful demonstrations.

"You think you are so brave opposing like that? I have a similar experience in 1998, I was so stupid back then because I just wanted to go to the streets and have fun," Nurulhidayah wrote.

"At that time, I called for (former prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) to step down. I believe many were like me before."

Nurulhidayah was referring to the "reformasi" era in 1998, when former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sacked from the Cabinet.

Her father, seen an ally of Anwar at that time, was also arrested and held in prison under the Internal Security Act after speaking out against Dr Mahathir.

Nurulhidayah said street protests were not relevant today as the world was watching Malaysia descend into chaos, she said.

"I will not say much about this. My opinion - it is a FOOLISH WORK, or in simpler term, STUPID WORK," she said.

Her Facebook posts have since gone viral on social media.