UMNO members should learn a lesson or two from the loss suffered by Kedah UMNO in the 12th general election in order to strengthen the party in facing today's challenges, said UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

Mahdzir, who is also Education Minister, said apart from the political tsunami, the loss suffered by Kedah UMNO in the 2008 general election was also due to factions in the party.

As such, he called on all UMNO members nationwide not to let the largest Malay party in the country to suffer the same fate as Kedah UMNO.

"Internal problems and disputes must be solved wisely and under one umbrella.

"Don't betray the party or cause factions to the extent of losing the power to help the people. It happened once in Kedah," he said when opening Segamat UMNO division meeting here today.

Also present was Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, who is also MIC president and Segamat Member of Parliament.

Mahdzir said it was fortunate that Kedah UMNO was able to learn quickly from their mistakes and win the state back in the last general election.

"From the loss, we rose again, we strengthened the party and won the state back in the last general election. It shows that when we are strong, we will become the government, but if we are weak, who will?" he asked.

He also said that UMNO members should have faith in party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and not to fall easily on all allegations hurled at him.

"The opposition will not stop their attacks, they will continue attacking the prime minister (Najib) in order to weaken the Barisan Nasional government, led by UMNO. As UMNO members, we have to defend him and the government," he added.