Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has issued an ominous warning to Umno delegates with regard to the coming general election.

The Umno deputy president cautioned that another electoral setback would be akin to Umno and BN signing their own death warrant.

He said following BN's landslide triumph in the 11th general election in 2004, the coalition was subjected to two subsequent divine tests in the 12th and 13th general elections.

In the 2008 12th general election, BN lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time since independence as well as several states, including Selangor, which was regarded as its stronghold.

The results led to prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's exit and Najib Abdul Razak took over the leadership reins.

Najib, however, failed to reverse BN's fortunes, in 2012. This time around, the coalition also lost the popular vote.

"God tested us twice. If we fail in the third test, then 'tempahlah maut sendiri' (sign your own death warrant). Umno and BN will only be recorded in the history books,” said Zahid...