Both the UMNO Vice Presidents are in agreement and vow to be together with the President in facing numerous criticisms and slanders against the party with calmness and maturity.

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said they would ensure Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was not alone in facing the assault on the party.

Both the leaders stressed that although the approaches might differ from Najib in tackling the challenges, their struggles were the same, for the continuity of the sacred Malay party.

For Ahmad Zahid, who is carrying out the duty of UMNO deputy president, every leader faced a different challenge which required a different approach in facing it.

"Indeed, my principle is the same as Najib but my approach differs. The president is very patient and good-hearted. If there is roughness, he will not counter with roughness.

"Although, the three of us came from the youth movement, we are not the same," he told a media conference with Hishammuddin after the opening of the 2016 UMNO General Assembly by Najib today.

Hishammuddin, on his part, stressed that patience has its own strength, in fact, UMNO, all these while, used the principle 'patient but firm' in dealing with every ordeal besetting the party.

"It is much easier for the president to ward off accusations against him and the party in this manner, especially from those, whom prior to this, had headed and taught us to utilise the same principle," he said. - BERNAMA