Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's last speech as Umno leader at the party's general assembly this evening turned out to be a rather tame affair, with much of it dedicated to blasting the ruling party's key adversary, PAS.

Mahathir, who received a standing ovation as he approached the podium to deliver his 90-minute speech, spoke at length about how the opposition PAS has misinterpreted Islamic teachings and misled Muslims.

He accused PAS leaders, naming spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, party president Abdul Hadi Awang and his predecessor, the late Fadzil Noor, as having interpreted Islam according to their political interests.

"PAS is only using Islam to further its political ambitions," he told the 2,000-strong delegates when winding-up the 54th Umno General Assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

"That is why Umno is trying to preserve and protect the true Islamic teachings in Malaysia."

A British 'creation'

In discrediting the Muslim-based opposition party which poses a clear electoral threat to Umno, Mahathir said PAS leaders are ignorant of the true teachings of Islam and are twisting the religion to suit their own needs.

"The most important aspect of Islamic teachings is to treat others justly, but PAS' version of hudud law in Kelantan and Terengganu, on rape and other matters, does not respect that.

"Justice, especially when meting out punishment, must be observed in Islam," he stressed.

He echoed premier-in-waiting Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's earlier remark that PAS - a splinter party of Umno formed in 1951 - was established with the consent of then colonial British.

"This is a historical fact. PAS was created with the blessings of the British to split the mounting opposition and demands for independence by the Malays at that time."

Mahathir again warned Umno leaders and members against repeating the same mistake made by the Malay rulers during British rule, a point which he had touched on earlier at the party's assembly.

He said the rulers accepted the British's promise of material wealth and comfort in exchange for the power to govern the then Malaya.

"Don't take the easy way out or we will lose our country," he advised the party faithful, referring to those in the party who demanded contracts from the government.

Government contracts, he said, should also be given to Malaysian Malays who are not Umno members.

Constructive criticism, please

Mahathir also noted that there were fewer criticisms leveled against the party leadership and government agencies at this year's assembly.

"Criticism is good and must be taken in our stride, but let us offer constructive criticisms so that the opposition are denied the opportunity to counter-criticise us, or Umno."

He also supported Umno vice-president Najib Abdul Razak's suggestion that Malaysia should form a school of occidental studies - similar to the West's schools of oriental studies - for a better understanding of Europeans.

He explained that he had elaborated on European history in his opening speech two days ago to educate the delegates on the 'characters' of a race which he described as "war-loving and ruthless". However, he said this was "not to hate them".

Mahathir added that the nation had developed without relying on aid from the West. Because of this, "we can now thumb our nose at them (Europeans)", he said while putting his thumb on his nose.

Touching on party matters, the outgoing president expressed serious concern about possible jostling for power from within the party.

"I truly fear a power struggle within Umno due to the lack of understanding of the party etiquette.

"For instance, if a candidate gets the backing from the majority, then support should be given to that person. There is no need (for the losing candidate) to send delegations, appeal letters or make phone calls."

"If we stand united, I'm confident we can make a clean sweep," he said, referring to the upcoming general election expected next year.

Main focus - PAS

Earlier, Abdullah too had also focused on PAS for the best part of his half-hour winding-up speech.

He said PAS' brand of Islam was based on a narrow and often deviated interpretations.

The deputy leader lamented that such interpretations would not prepare Muslims "for the greater worldly challenges in business, finance, science, technology and medicine, among others".

He said Umno, on the other hand, has always tried to portray Islam as a dynamic and progressive religion since the country obtained independence from the British.