Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it is time for Umno and BN to stop being defensive and start using offensive approach in social media so that people will not get confused by the allegations by certain quarters.

The Umno vice-president said 87 percent of Malaysians were active in the social media and the medium should be used to enhance the credibility of the party and the government.

"This era, the era of social media, with borderless sky, there are 30 million people with 35 million mobile phones because some have more than one mobile phone... this is the new wave, if we don't deal with it, we will sink.

"It's time to get back up, now is the time to attack and tell the truth. The government's establishment must be restored," Zahid said in his speech at the Padang Terap Umno delegates meeting in Kuala Nerang, Kedah, today.

Also present was Padang Terap Umno chief Mahdzir Khalid, who is also education minister.

Zahid said he, himself, had been the victim of false accusations being spread in the social media, with the latest news that he had suffered from stroke last week.

"If I have a stroke, how can I come to Padang Terap, Langkawi, Sungai Besar and have attended the eve of National Day and the (National Day) parade?

"(People) should pray for the good health of their leaders, not pray for bad things. It's a sin, repent immediately," he said, adding that he had forgiven those who made the accusation.

On another matter, Zahid reminded Kedah Umno not to get too complacent and to redouble its efforts to win the hearts of the people.

Currently, he said, Umno and BN dominated 20 of the 36 state seats in the Kedah state assemby and Kedah had fallen to the opposition in the 12th general election.

Hence, state Umno leaders and members should self reflect and give full support to the state Umno liaison chairperson, Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, who is also the menteri besar, to steer the party machinery.

At the event, Zahid announced an allocation of RM2 million to the Padang Terap parliamentary constituency for water supply upgrading projects.

- Bernama