Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein was today accused of stirring up racial tensions by brandishing a keris to thunderous applause at the party's annual congress.

Opposition leaders slammed Hishammuddin's actions, saying it was a political ploy to woo support from Muslim Malays who dominate the population of the multi-ethnic country.

"Umno knows they cannot win Chinese and Indian votes. So they are leaning to secure Malay votes. It is nothing but a political gimmick," said Subki Yusof, secretary of the fundamentalist PAS.

"I don't think the unsheathing and brandishing of the dagger is part of Malay culture. We do not do it in our daily life or during any ceremonial functions," he told AFP .

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang said the gesture would "surely strain race ties in Malaysia."

"It is outrageous that he does it despite the criticisms. He is being insensitive and irresponsible," he said.

Unity and power

Hishammuddin however this morning had warned off his detractors in his policy speech at the Youth wing's assembly, stating that the keris does not necessarily imply Malay supremacy but carries multiple significances such as unity, wisdom and knowledge.

"The King's keris is made of patches of steel originating from 11 Malay states and therefore it signifies unity and not only power," he stressed.

Prior to his speech, he unsheathed the dagger and held it aloft, in a gesture seen by other ethnic groups as aggressive and inflammatory.

"No one should fear... don't create an enemy that does not exist. Don't be afraid of the shadow," Hishammuddin said to loud applause from the 750 delegates.

He then reiterated that the keris will always be the symbol of strength for Umno.

Umno is using the annual congress to gear up for elections expected to be held early next year.

Last year's Umno assembly was overshadowed by the raising of the keris as well as incendiary speeches attacking the nation's ethnic Chinese and Indian communities.