Leaders of Umno wings should emulate the wisdom of Prime Minister Najib Razak in addressing political and national issues to ensure the survival of the Malays and Islam.

Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein said it was important for party members to be patient and resilient when facing issues so that they could be resolved with wisdom and not by emotions.

"Everything happens for a reason and from here we can see who can survive. How can we lead the country if we are angry and emotional? he said when opening the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings of Bera Umno division today.

Also present was Bera Umno division chief and Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The defence minister said leaders of Umno wings should emulate party president Najib who successfully handled the MH17 crash in Ukraine last month.

"The prime minister and I lost our step grandmother in the crash. If we were angry and emotional, we may not be able to retrieve the bodies of our citizens from the restive region to Amsterdam.

"The approach used by the prime minister was recognised by the world although some quarters were not confident that a small country like Malaysia could deal with the separaists," he added.

- Bernama