He said Umno members should not question the mandate given to party leaders to help their president.

“We carry out our leader’s orders and ensure that the wave of support we create today will become a tsunami heading into GE14. Let’s give our full commitment and cooperation to the leaders who have been given the mandate,” he said in his speech at the 2016 Umno general assembly.

He reminded members and delegates that they were doing the right thing by defending their president (Najib Razak) from “enemy attacks”.

“Be confident that we are doing the right thing because there is no good that comes from a weak leader, apart from the destruction of an organisation,” he said.

Hishammuddin quoted a speech given by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1976 on the importance of defending an institution.

“Trust must be defended. That mandate has become a guide and principle that I hold to till today.

“But Tun, why is it that when we are loyal to our leaders today we are blamed? Why are we insulted?

“Why is it that when we defend our president, we are ridiculed? You do not walk the talk,” he said.

Hishammuddin said the assembly this year was different from previous years because this year, it was attended by loyal leaders.

“This year’s assembly is full of harmony and warmth. We shake hands, greet one another, laugh and have sincere heart to heart talks without prejudice or doubt,” he said.