Outgoing Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein today said that the controversial keris ceremony would be discontinued after this year's meeting.

Hishamuddin, who is stepping down from the post after 11 years, was presented with the keris after he delivered his last address to Youth wing members this morning.

He raised the golden weapon to face level and kissed it, but did not wave or raise it.

umno agm 250309 hishammuddin wield keris

Hishammuddin then shouted the customary clarion call of Hidup Melayu (Long Live the Malays) three times before placing the keris back on its cushion, while Youth members dressed in traditional costume and black songkok cheered with shouts of Allahuakbar (God is great).

"The keris has been given to me today to personally take care of it and it will no longer belong to the Youth wing.

" Insyaallah , I will try and carry the keris, should there be opportunity, into the next level of party leadership," he told reporters at the Putra World Trade Centre.

"I hope this is a closure to what has been disputed and misunderstood before."

Hishammuddin, the son of a former prime minister, is vying to become one of three party vice-presidents.

He was in tears by the end of the event and hugged his deputy, Khairy Jamaluddin, who is contesting the Youth chief post ( photo below ).

Today's change in protocol seems to indicate that Hishammuddin was taking pains to avoid causing consternation among non-Malays, particularly in light of the three impending by-elections on April 7.

umno youth 2009 agm khairy hugging hishammuddin However, this decision could have a bearing on his bid for vice-presidency, as many hardcore Umno members could see Hishammuddin as being weak.

The keris issue became particularly divisive at the party's 2006 assembly, when it was linked with ultra-nationalist rhetoric that emerged.

Some delegates said that Malays, who dominate the population of the multi-racial country, must be willing to fight "to the last drop of blood" to defend their rights.

Another speaker warned other ethnic groups to stop questioning the rights of the Malays and not to test their patience.

umno 59 agm 2009 wanita puteri youth opening 250309 09 The fiery tone sparked concerns about the economic and religious rights of the country's sizeable Chinese and Indian communities, and further strained race relations which have deteriorated in recent years.

The following year, Hishammuddin defied calls for restraint by again unsheathing the dagger and holding it aloft to thunderous applause, in a gesture widely seen as aggressive and inflammatory.

He subsequently apologised for the move, saying he did not intend to hurt the feelings of non-Malays.

Feminine but rowdy

The Youth delegates started voting immediately after Hishammuddin's speech. The counting process started at 1pm and results would be announced by 9pm tonight.

umno 59 agm 2009 wanita puteri youth opening 250309 01 Three candidates are vying for the powerful post - the current deputy Youth chief Khairy ( right ), former Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Khir Toyo ( above ) and Youth exco member Mukhriz Mahathir.

But from the support which Hishammuddin received as he left the meeting hall, it was evident that he is leaving the incoming Youth chief with a tough act to follow.

Hishammuddin had been the chief for 11 years now and had led the wing through its most tumultuous period in the party's history

The contenders also had their moment of glory as supporters gathered around them just before the elections.

Rowdy support for contestants

Meanwhile, at the other end of the hall, a wide sea of pink and red took shape as female Umno supporters gathered. Their headscarves reflected the colours of the Puteri wing and of the party.

umno 59 agm 2009 puteri youth wanita mt campaign 250309 04 Wearing the traditional baju kurung - often culturally associated with femininity - did not prevent them from rowdily shouting slogans of support for their respective leaders.

The election process for all three wings - Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri started after a slight delay this morning, following a briefing for delegates on polling procedures.

A total of 796 Wanita delegates, 791 Youth delegates and 789 Puteri delegates will determine the fate of the candidates in the race for top posts, as well as seats in the executive council of the respective wings.

VIDEO l 10 mins

59th Umno AGM programme