In a bid to boost party membership, Prime Minister and Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad today asked all youth members to bring in five new members to the party.

He also told the youth members to register as voters so that the party can bank on their ready votes in the next general elections due in 2004.

The prime minister further asked the youth members to be on their toes at all times and requested them to set up operation centres in their branches for the purpose of gaining more support for the party.

"Do these three things and we can see from the results if the youths are ready and committed to take over the reins from the old guards," said the premier.

Mahathir was speaking to some 5,000 party youth members during a gathering at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

After a poor show in the 1999 general elections, Umno has been attempting to boost its image and membership as well as to make the party more appealing to the younger generation.

It was with this in mind that the party set up its Puteri Umno wing late last year to rope in young professional females.

Mahathir also reminded youth members of the perils of money politics, urging them to support the party's tough actions against the culprits involved.

This is in reference to the decision by the party to suspend six divisional leaders including one Kedah exco member last month, for practising money politics in the recently concluded party divisional elections.

'Expensive cars'

He said that members were only interested in winning posts and positions to enrich themselves, stressing that these leaders will not be given any government contracts.

"So don't let such members become leaders and don't accept any money offered by these people, even if it is a single sen," he said to the rapturous crowd.

Mahathir also advised party members to show the same amount of support to all leaders.

"All winners and losers in the recent party elections must also close ranks and work together," he said.

He urged all Umno members to be in constant contact with the grassroots supporters.

"This is our problem now. Chosen leaders, including wakil rakyats (people's representatives), are no longer reaching to those who elected them. We will make sure that they get to the ground more often.

"But I have an advice for these leaders. When you go to visit the people, leave your expensive cars behind. Meet them in humility," he added.

'Whipping boys'

Earlier, Umno Youth leader Hishammuddin Hussein told party leaders not to treat the youth faction as "whipping boys".

He said that party leaders must follow the examples set by the youth in making continuous visits to the ground.

He also told the youth movement to be in election mode from now on in order to garner support for the party, and advised youth leaders from all levels to be dedicated in carrying out their duties for the party and the country.

Also present at the gathering were party deputy president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and secretary-general Khalil Yaakob.