Spiteful jealousy, a weakness of Malays that must be eliminated - Zahid

He said the party's political enemies saw this spiteful jealousy as a weaknesses that should be taken advantage of and wanted this bad trait to not only continue, but to also deepen.

"History had seen the collapse of Islamic empires and civilisations due to betrayal, jealousy, and hatred against one another while there were also those who were willing to compromise with the enemy.

"Betrayal, spiteful jealousy and mutual hatred will undermine our Islamic faith and erode unity among the Malays, particularly among UMNO members," he said in his speech when opening the Masjid Tanah UMNO delegates' meeting here today.

Also present were Malacca Chief Minister and state UMNO liaison chief Datuk Seri Idris Haron, Puteri UMNO chief and Tourism and Culture Deputy Minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, and UMNO executive secretary and Masjid Tanah UMNO division head, Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the coming into position of an individual was determined by Allah and His servants should not be questioning that out of jealousy.

"The position of a person is very crystal clear; we can work hard and leave it to Allah as fate and destiny can change with prayers.

"But when a person is placed in a position, whether at the branch, divisional, state or central level, solid support should be given to that person," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said discord among UMNO members because some were supporting certain leaders should cease immediately and that UMNO members at all levels must be united in support of one leadership.

He said UMNO had no more time for infighting with the 14th General Election coming closer, and spiteful jealousy should disappear fast to ensure UMNO remained as the pillar of the government to continue looking after the lot of the people.

Ahmad Zahid said disunity among UMNO members could create negative perception towards the sacred party of the Malays.

He said UMNO was currently facing a "war" of perception and was being judged by the court of public opinion, hence the party members must use their intelligence in facing the current challenges.

"During the colonial days, political strength was dependent on the might of weapons, but today politics is influenced by the mind. When a negative perception is created, the situation will be negative and a person is prejudged through perception," he said.

In this regard, he said, UMNO members needed to be strong and capable, especially in using the social media to counter all the attacks by the party's political enemies.

"Let's not lose in the mind war through the social media, let there be no UMNO members 'shooting' each other in the social media. Stop this immediately," he said.