He said party members should not disclose confidential party matters, especially minutes of meetings.

“Every appointed Supreme Council member takes an oath of secrecy. The vice-presidents who will be elected should be together with the president and deputy president. Let’s not have a group within a group, a party within a party.

“The same goes for my friends in the Supreme Council. I practise a policy of appreciating differences of opinion and respect decisions taken. I give priority to the party and am not vindictive,” he said.

Zahid made his remarks at a ceremony to introduce candidates for the posts of permanent chairman, permanent deputy chairman, vice-president and to the Supreme Council.

He also urged victorious candidates in the party polls to cooperate and not to be involved in any plots to topple the current government.

“Do not conspire with the enemies within. I know there are plans behind the scenes to undermine the existing leadership. Please choose to be with me and deputy president Mohamad Hasan to strengthen the party.

”These elections are a family affair and all are contesting to strengthen the party. Tok Mat (Mohamad) and I will accept all the winners, as they are the leaders who will be together with me and the party,” he added.

He explained that Umno’s decision to join Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government was to consolidate the party’s position in national politics and avoid creating factions which could affect the country’s harmony.

The vice-presidential and Supreme Council elections will be held on Saturday.