Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he was not disheartened by criticism of his English language skills.

What is disheartening, he said, was those who cannot speak the national language.

"I would feel disheartened and embarrassed to see those who were born and raised in the country but cannot even speak Bahasa Malaysia.

"Some of them cannot speak the language despite their advanced age, and some even have titles," he was quoted as saying by New Straits Times.

Zahid had on September 24 addressed the United Nations General Assembly.

Some netizens subsequently ridiculed Zahid after he failed to properly pronounce some words.

Addressing the issue, Zahid said he was not from any famous school but was proud that someone from a religious school was able to address the United Nations.

"I am a graduate of (Sekolah Menengah Agama) Izuddin Shah but I was able to speak at the UN General Assembly in New York.

"Maybe I did not pronounce one or two words correctly but at least, I was able to represent the country," he was quoted as saying.

Ahmad Zahid was closing the Ipoh Barat Umno division delegates' meeting. Sekolah Menengah Agama Izuddin Shah is also in Ipoh.