Youth delegates have voiced support for party president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, but without directly hitting out at his main critic, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is currently being treated for a minor heart attack.

As in previous years, the theatrics were apparent as several delegates livened up the debate session with pantun and jokes or led passionate shouts of Hidup Melayu (Long live Malays).

But their underlying message was serious - that Umno must continue playing its protective role over the rights of Malays and avoid the infighting of the past.

State Youth leaders took turns to warn that internal squabbles would lead to dire consequences, such as the loss of Kelantan and Terengganu to opposition party PAS in previous general elections.

"We need to listen to Hisham (Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein), Pak Lah. Is that so hard to do?" asked Ramli Simbok from Selangor.

He rehashed history in describing the 1987 challenge to Mahathir's leadership by ex-finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, which resulted in the party being split. Ramli did not mention either personality by name.

"At the time, the party, the cabinet, the government were split into Team A and Team B. Our party was made illegal because of fighting the top leadership. In the following elections (in 1989) Kelantan fell. Umno was destroyed, and re-made. I urge Umno Youth members, listen to your leaders.

He said another tussle occurred again in 1998: "...this resulted in the formation of Keadilan, where 98 percent of its members consist of Malays, consist of Umno members. Later (in 1999), we lost Kelantan, Terengganu... Kedah was half-gone and parts of Perak also."

"Each time, Umno was destroyed, and we managed to form the party again. Can we, as members, go through all this again? We need to ask our leaders, whether they will step up and be leaders," said Ramli, looking at Hishammuddin in jest.

"I am not taking sides. I love Hisham. I love Pak Lah. And I'm still lovin' Tun. But my friends from below (grassroots) love Umno even more," he added, to laughter and applause.

He said the Umno Youth grassroots want leaders to settle problems amicably, adding that the verbal exchange (between Mahathir and Abdullah) has affected the party's image.

"Things are not okay. Don't listen to SB (special branch). It's their job to say things are all okay. At the ground level, we are asking Umno to strengthen itself."

Ramli also criticised MIC president Samy S Vellu, Gerakan president Dr Koh Tsu Koon and deputy higher education minister Ong Tee Kiat for criticising the prime minister openly.

"It is utterly rude of them to speak in that manner to Pak Lah. Not only is he the president of Umno, he is the prime minister."

'Racial riots' seen

Marang Youth information chief Razali Idris said that, if the disparity in wealth between Malays and non-Malays is not solved, it would lead to racial riots.

"Presently, the 'Malay economy' is growing at two percent, while the 'non-Malay economy' is growing at six percent. If nothing is done, the disparity will increase and this will lead to chaos.

"There will be another May 13, 1969. There will be war and Kuala Lumpur will be an urban battlefield. Therefore, don't challenge the special rights of Malays. We don't want another fiasco in 2008."

Razali also commented that infighting would lead to the loss of states such as Kelantan and Terengganu. He said both states are thankful that Abdullah has decided to establish a university (Universiti Darul Aman and Universiti Darul Iman) in each.

Rantau Panjang Youth information chief Affandy Yusoff said Umno has no choice but to raise issues to protect Malay interests.

"We must raise these to defend the dignity of our race," he said, adding that PAS does not deliver its promises.

He advised an end to squabbles among leaders, saying "Life is too short for us to be vengeful. We should make amends."