UMNO must always be prepared in countering the propaganda of opposition parties which often distort issues concerning the government and party.

Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said UMNO members must not be complacent and overly comfortable to the point of failing to counter-attack.

"Instead, we must manage the party's internal issues well. Don't leave the ship's skipper alone because he is picked by the party. I also remind that at all times, don't let there be two skippers on one ship."

Jailani, who is also Hulu Terengganu UMNO division chief, said this when he simultaneously opened the annual general meetings of its branches and wings, here, last night, which was also attended by the division's deputy chief Datuk Rozi Mamat.

He said the challenges facing UMNO were getting tougher and the incident at the Terengganu State Assembly sitting on March 8 (involving an UMNO assemblyman tabling a motion of no confidence against the menteri besar) should be a lesson.

"We don't want Terengganu to fall to the opposition. Some leaders in Terengganu are still on their 'honeymoon', feeling strong and over-confident, while many at the lower ranks are starting to make noise," he said.