The latest attack on PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is reminiscent of the Dr Mahathir Mohamad era.

According to PKR vice-president Azmin Ali, by labelling Anwar as a 'puppet' of the United States and Jews, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin was following the path of the former premier.

"By calling Anwar an American stooge, he is parroting what Dr M (Mahathir) has been saying after the sacking (of Anwar) and nobody believes that anyway.

"He (Anwar) is close not only with the Americans but also with Middle Easterners, Asean leaders and European leaders. He's engaged with all parties, and the world," he said when contacted today.

Anwar, who was a former deputy premier, was sacked from the government in 1998 on allegations of sodomy and corruption, which he claimed were trumped up.

Yesterday, Khairy told an Umno Youth gathering in Kuala Kangsar that Anwar was a "traitor" to the Malay cause.

"Anwar is a puppet of the United States and the Jews, thus he must be hounded until there is no more place for him to run to," he said.

Khairy also said Anwar supported the abolishment of the affirmative action New Economic Policy (NEP) to win over non-Malay voters.

Seen as a threat

Responding to this, Azmin said the position of PKR on the NEP is "very clear."

"We do not protect based on race but we protect the poor irrespective of race. Our policy is very clear, we don't protect based on race," he added.

Azmin claimed that the NEP has been "hijacked" by the Umno elites and has resulted in a poorer Malaysia.

"If you look at the figures, we are now five times poorer compared to Singapore. They would like to keep the Malays backwards and poorer.

"Politically it would be easier for them to bribe them during elections and they would like to keep it that way. They have not moved on with more progressive programmes to protect the interest of the majority of Malays," he said.

Meanwhile, party vice-president R Sivarasa described Khairy's comments as "politically bankrupt and desperate."

"These are the kinds of comments Umno Youth would resort to when they have no issues to present to the public. These comments show that deep down inside, Umno is very worried about the impact of Anwar on national politics," he said when contacted.

"This is their desperate attempt to contain his influence. This in a way shows that Anwar is a real threat to Umno.

"I would like to say to Khairy that if you are serious, allow Anwar to debate with any of the Umno leaders on whatever allegations on prime time national television. I'm confident they won't allow this to happen," he added.

Meanwhile, Anwar's personal aide Nik Nazmi said the party de-facto leader is on a working trip in Turkey.

"He doesn't really care to respond to Khairy's comments. What was said is beneath him," he said.