UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today pledged that his loyalty towards the party president and leadership is not just an empty promise.

In fact, the Deputy Prime Minister has also promised that he would continue to stand firm behind Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and to jointly lead the sacred party thus ensuring the survival of UMNO.

"Mine is not the promise of Niccolo Machiavelli (Italian historian) where the word is different from the intention; mine adheres strictly to the promise as in the teachings of the prophets," he said when opening the meetings of the three UMNO wings - Wanita, Youth and Puteri in conjunction with the 2016 UMNO General Assembly here tonight.

Expressing his gratitude to Najib and all UMNO Supreme Council members for their trust in giving him the mandate and responsibility to carry out the duties of the party deputy president, Ahmad Zahid said he had never regarded this as 'booty' for self-interest.

"However, this is a test to evaluate my loyalty to the skipper of this UMNO vessel. I promise to stand by the skipper to row this vessel across the ocean to an island of victory. This is the promise of Zahid Hamidi," he said.

Ahmad Zahid also called on all UMNO members to remain loyal to the party and should not betray the struggles of the party that was ingrained in their life so that it had become an important political institution in the country.

"The UMNO leaders of the past up to now have led the country towards a more glorious and respected position around the world. The determination of Najib to take the country to the height of excellence through various transformations for the well-being of the people must be supported by all," he said.

He described the loyalty of UMNO members towards the presidential institution would enable the party to become stronger and to ward off attacks whether from outside or within the party.

"In order for UMNO to be forever strong, each member should remain loyal to the party. No matter what accusations and allegations have been hurled at the party president, it will never undermine our loyalty towards him," he said. -- BERNAMA