Act sternly against saboteurs, oppose foreign intervention - Mahdzir Khalid

He said inviting foreign media to make reports that tarnish the country's reputation to influence investors was also considered a treacherous act.

"We must not compromise on this, we cannot allow this to happen and the government must take stern action against those involved," he told reporters after simultaneously launching the Sungai Petani Wanita and Puteri UMNO divisions' meetings here on Friday.

Present were Sungai Petani UMNO division chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Saad, his deputy Senator Datuk Shahanim Mohamad Yusoff, Sungai Petani Wanita UMNO chief Wan Mohalina Wan Mohamad and Puteri UMNO chief Mashitoh Mohamad Yusoff.

In his speech, Mahdzir, who is also Padang Terap Member of Parliament and Kedah UMNO Liaison Committee deputy chairman, also advised UMNO members not to sabotage each other to ensure that the dismal performance of UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 2008 general election would not recur.

In BATU PAHAT, another UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi also called on the government to take stern action against any quarters trying to sabotage the economy and to mislead people with negative perceptions in order to topple down the BN-led government.

He said action should be taken against these saboteurs under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 as there had been efforts made to mislead the people on issues pertaining to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad, BERSIH (electoral reform movement) rallies and the latest, the United States' Department of Justice reports.

"We realised that the country is facing many threats including the 'perception terrorists' who want to sabotage the nation's economy.

"Just take a look at the opposition...they work in series. They have staged five BERSIH rallies. Although the Election Commission has come out with the use of permanent ink (in the previous general election), they (the opposition) still carried on with the rallies...They have actually committed serial crimes," he said.

Mohd Puad, who is also Batu Pahat UMNO Division chief, said this at the Batu Pahat UMNO division delegates meeting opening ceremony which was officiated by UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.