Umno members today labeled ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim a traitor to the Malay cause and vowed not to accept him.

The head of Umno's youth arm, Hishammuddin Hussein, said the ruling party was sacred and was sincere to serve the aspirations of Malays.

"Hence, the youth wing will not allow Umno to be weakened. The youth will be the protector of the party and will not allow the return of those who have been a traitor to the struggle of the party," he said in his opening speech to about 800 grassroot leaders.

"We should not forget that this traitor had once destroyed our unity, hurt our image and the economy through demonstrations and street violence and sought foreign intervention to achieve his narrow political ambitions."

Hishammuddin said the party's young members would not allow "this traitor" be given any space to destroy the party for the second time, to applause from the delegates.

The youths, along with the women and Puteri wings, are meeting today ahead of the three-day annual Umno congress on Thursday.

'Shamed our race'

Hishammudin did not name Anwar in his speech but when asked if the youth wing was declaring war on Anwar, he said: "He has declared war on us when he formed Keadilan."

Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail set up the Parti Keadilan Rakyat after the politician was sacked and detained in 1998. But the party was virtually wiped out in March general election when it won only a single seat, from five in 1999 polls.

Anwar, who is in Germany recuperating from a back surgery, was freed earlier this month after six years in jail on a charge of corruption. As a convicted criminal, he is not allowed to stand for any elected or party post until 2008.

Anwar was heir-apparent to then-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad before being sacked and later sentenced to a total of 15 years in jail on charges which he says were trumped up to prevent him challenging Mahathir for the premiership.

Abdullah Saad, a Kuala Lumpur youth chief said it was clear that Hishammudin was referring to Anwar.

"It is a wise decision not to accept Anwar. He is a traitor. He ruined the economy and shamed the Malay race. We must close our doors to him," he said.

Malays account for slightly more than half of Malaysia's 25 million multi-racial population but they lag behind the economically dominant Chinese minority.

No space for Anwar

Umno, which champions the cause to improve the lot of the Malays, has headed the country's multi-racial ruling coalition since independence from Britain in 1957.

Another leader Affendi Zahari echoed Hishammudin's remark, saying: "The message is clear. No space for Anwar in Umno."

Affendi said Hishammuddin raised the issue of Anwar even though Anwar had said he would not return to Umno because there were still "Anwar loyalists" in the party.

"It is a message to them. Don't stir the calm waters in the party," he added.

Anwar, 57, has said that he did not wish to return to Umno but would cooperate and work with the opposition to advance the reform agenda.