UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said today reminded all party members to continue to put their trust in the government and not to be easily influenced by information disseminated via social media.

Azalina, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said on the contrary, UMNO members should first verify any information received through social media before being shared or disseminated to others.

"Most of our leaders today are facing greater defamation challenges as a result of misuse of information technology. We should not easily get worked up over any defamatory statements, personal attacks against the country's leaders, especially Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak," she said.

She said this when opening the annual meetings of Pengerang UMNO branches here today.

The Pengerang UMNO division chief also expressed regret over the actions of some parties, who had the habit of spreading any information without first checking its authenticity.

She said UMNO members should realise that the opposition was very good at distorting facts and spinning issues.

Therefore, she urged UMNO members to become the agents of the government by delivering accurate information and providing explanation on various issues to the people so that they would not be influenced by the slander spread, especially in social media.

In the meantime, Azalina called on UMNO members to unite against  any group that supported the 'Mahathir Declaration'.

"The action by a group of former (UMNO) leaders, who willingly conspired with the opposition by signing the declaration reflects their true colours who do not respect democracy and the mandate given by the people.

The opposition coalition has no clear direction," she said.