Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that it was up to the new leadership to decide on the future of his ex-deputy Anwar Ibrahim after he wrapped up his last Umno assembly in Kuala Lumpur today.

Asked at a news conference if a reconciliation with Anwar, who is serving a total 15 years in jail for sodomy and corruption, was possible, he said he would leave it to the new leadership to decide.

"He's in jail. If the party wants to accept him after I leave, I have no right to say no. But when you are in the party, you must fight for the party," the veteran 77-year-old premier said.

"If you are in the party in order to plot, to take things for yourself, to subvert people with bribes, I don't think that will result in good leadership."

Anwar, 56, was sacked by the premier in 1998 and later charged in what he says was a move to prevent a political challenge to the premier. The government denies the allegation. His trials were criticised internationally.

Not interested in OIC post

Mahathir, who will chair an Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) summit in October before stepping down after 22 years at the helm, said he was not interested in becoming OIC secretary-general nor in any domestic positions.

"I will hold no post at all. I will not be a senior president," he said.

"I am not going to take any posts anywhere... but I am willing to give my views."

Earlier wrapping up the three-day Umno assembly, Mahathir said he was encouraged by top party leaders' pledges to prevent a power struggle after he leaves and to back anointed successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's choice of a deputy.

"If this spirit remains, when the general election comes, we will sweep it clean," he told more than 2,000 delegates and observers.

Warmongering Europeans

Mahathir, who in his opening speech Thursday accused the European race of warmongering, indiscriminate attacks on Muslims, greed and sexual deviancy, repeated his warning that Europeans "will try to conquer us again".

He thanked party members for their support and ended his 90-minute speech with a poem urging them to unite and rally behind Abdullah and to be on guard against foreign colonialisation.

"When I go, (Abdullah) will replace me. Umno will be firm, that is for sure," he said to a standing ovation from the crowd. - AFP