Umno President Abdullah Ahmad Badawi strongly criticised former rival Anwar Ibrahim as "treacherous" today as he consolidated his power at the ruling party's annual convention.

Without mentioning Anwar's name, Abdullah told the first party congress which he has presided over as president that he would not compromise "with those who have been treacherous to the party".

The party had already signalled that it was closing ranks against Anwar, who had been widely expected to become Umno leader and prime minister before being sacked and jailed in 1998. But Abdullah's statement in a nationally broadcast address was a final blow.

Within days of Anwar's release earlier this month the party announced that it would not re-admit him and the youth wing on Wednesday set the tone for the congress by branding him a "traitor".

When Anwar was sacked by then-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he led massive street demonstrations calling for reform of what he charged was a corrupt government - a move which Abdullah held against him today.

Abdullah, who replaced Anwar as deputy premier and took over as prime minister when Mahathir retired last October, said the party "cannot compromise with those who have disparaged, smeared, attacked the dignity of Umno and been treacherous to the party".

In an apparent reference to the widely-held belief that Anwar still holds ambitions to be prime minister one day, Abdullah added: "Umno cannot allow anyone to use it as a stepping-stone for personal gain."

A tribute to Anwar

Speaking to reporters later, Mahathir made it clear that Abdullah had been referring directly to Anwar.

Asked about the party's decision to bar Anwar from readmittance, he said : "As Abdullah was saying, it does not want people who create trouble.

"If you are a member of the party you must not betray the party. If you are expelled you must not do something against the party."

The fact that the Umno leadership continues to address the issue is a tribute to the popular Anwar's past and future role in political life, particularly as he is banned from holding public office for the next four years.

Anwar, who is recovering from spinal surgery in Munich, told AFP in an interview this week that he had made no commitment yet to join any political party but was likely to play a role in a multi-party alliance, probably in opposition.