Ahmad Zahid chats with Shahrizat discuss a point at the Umno Wanita Kepong Division delegates meeting. — Bernama photo
GEORGE TOWN: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday reminded all party members to remain united and not split the party, and strive together to fight external adversaries.
The deputy prime minister said all Umno members should get out of their comfort zones and adopt a more structured approach in facing these adversaries who were adept at using communication technology.
These enemies used finger-tip technology to create wrongdoing to make Umno look stupid, backward and irrelevant, he said when opening the Bayan Baru Umno Division delegates meeting here.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya, Bayan Baru Umno Division chief Datuk Mansor Musa and other Bayan Baru Umno Division leaders were also present at the event.
“We have to be in the forefront. We have to continue to empower Umno. We have to advance. It is difficult for us to be split from the outside but we can be easily split from the inside.
“What is happening are attempts to divide us from within,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said: “You may allow differences of opinion. Islam is also allowing differences in opinion. However, the differences in opinion must be addressed with decorum and decency.”
He said the perception created by adversaries led the people to believe their slander, so much so that Umno and the Barisan Nasional were defeated in several states in the last general election.
The deputy prime minister said that complacency would prevent Umno members from mastering new technology in the field of communications.
“However, some among us have mastered the technology, but not to fight adversaries. We fight among themselves and try to topple our own friends.
“This culture must be checked at once; let’s not fight among ourselves, we must together fight the enemy,” he said.
He said that to ensure the continued relevance of Umno, party members should change in terms of the approach in handling matters.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the home minister, said he would discharge his duties by being fair to everyone.
“It is not easy to discharge one’s responsibility. It can be interpreted in many ways. Nevertheless, the responsibility must be discharged with sincerity so that God can help us face any slander.
“Once we move, we have to move forward, don’t look back. Move forward together with me and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” he said. — Bernama