In an emotional appeal, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor today called on members to stop circulating rumours of him rejoining Umno.

He also told them that he joined Umno not because of the party but Anwar Ibrahim - its former deputy president.

Ezam's remark came less than 24 hours after Anwar, who is now PKR adviser, had categorically denied the possibility of returning to Umno.

"Umno was my first choice, I don't want to be a hypocrite about that. But I joined Umno not because of Umno but because of Anwar.

"I chose Anwar not because he is Anwar but because he brings reform," he said in his winding-up speech at the PKR national congress in Kuala Lumpur.

At present, the Youth chief said the party cannot have high hopes on any leader in thiis generation except for Anwar and had the 1,000-odd delegates in stitches, when he added: "I am saying this not because he is handsome".

Relationship with Khairy

Ezam also responded to speculations over his relationship with Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also the son-in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"I did not know him well before," said the PKR leader.

.

"In Singapore, there is a mentor minister, that's the father (Lee Kuan Yew). In Malaysia, we don't have a mentor minister but we have the mentor and he is the son-in-law (Khairy). When we want to send a message to the premier, we see his mentor," he explained.

Elaborating, he said PKR president and Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, had also met Abdullah to urged the premier to allow Anwar to seek treatment for his back injury overseas.

"In that meeting, the president conveyed a message from Anwar to Abdullah urging the PM not to follow the attitude of his predecessor (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) and not to interfere in the court trials," he added.

"Khairy went to Anwar's house, let him... let Umno panic... but why are we panicking?" he asked.

Reiterating his commitment to PKR, Ezam - a former Internal Security Act detainee - said he had been jailed for exposing corruption in the ruling administration and went to prison numerous times.

"I am saying this today not because I am sad, but friends question about it (rejoining Umno). In this struggle, I have lost many friends. But between the struggle and friends, I chose the struggle, he said to a thunderous applause.