Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has condemned certain quarters for making a storyboard, to create a perception of terrorism, to discredit the leader and institution which brings prosperity to this country.

The UMNO vice-president tasked with discharging duties of the deputy president said, the situation was triggered by jealousy towards the success of a country that is progressive and peaceful via an Islamic leadership, with support of people of different races from various religious background.

"They pressure the party's leadership and the government, and will not be satisfied until this country is in turmoil, destroyed and bring sufferings to the people. They create stories to destroy the UMNO leadership," he said when opening the UMNO Youth, Wanita UMNO and Puteri UMNO general assemblies at Putra World Trade Centre, here Tuesday night.

Ahmad Zahid shared stories about the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, who came out with an effective propaganda strategy based on lies, with the assistance of his propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.

"The Opposition's plot in this country is almost identical to the propaganda that Malaysia would go bankrupt and many more lies and allegations."

The change in the trend of thinking among the people, which tilt towards hate politics, is worrying as with the threat of liberalism and interpretation of democracy.

"Political democracy must be translated via the election process. The winning party gets to rule the country legally, but not anymore. Democracy is now synonymous with demonstrations which are considered as a parameter to democracy. Those who oppose demonstrations are regarded as undemocratic."

Admitting he once led a demonstration in campus to champion people issues, he said the demonstration was not to topple the government.

Ahmad Zahid said this is unlike today, where demonstrations are destructive, confrontational and regarded as absolute freedom, including to accept financial aid from foreign organisations.

"The Opposition better take heed. As long as this son of Bagan Datoh heads the Home Ministry, I will never tire of finding a cure and to be fair, for the sake of this prosperous country."

He said street demonstrations are organised so thoroughly to get the people to topple the government with directive and financing coming from overseas.

"The people will ultimately end up with a puppet government. They are like a coconut tree leaning onto a fence where the fruits are enjoyed by others."

This brought him to the Arab Spring in several Middle East countries where a change of governments did not bring about peace.

Ahmad Zahid reminded UMNO members not to be influenced by liberalism and that the democracy of our country is based on the constitution and the law.

"The people must reject Open Society Foundation which plans to control countries via financial aid and the enemy within, in the form of social platforms and gadgets of information technology.

He said the 21st century has changed the landscape with the existence of an Opposition that is digital centric, and good in hiding their true colours. --Bernama