The need for unity was the theme of a speech by the leader of the youth wing of the dominant government party to members yesterday in striking contrast with his predecessor's thinly veiled attack on the Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, a year ago. Last year's address by Zahid Hamidi, who was then United Malays National Organisation (Umno) youth chief and a close ally of the former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, set in motion a short-lived political struggle which he and his mentor lost. Anwar was sacked and arrested. He was jailed for six years on corruption charges in April and is currently on trial for sodomy. Speaking ahead of the opening of the party's annual general assembly tomorrow, Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, acting chief of Umno Youth, urged his audience to channel their efforts into meeting the changes and challenges of the new millennium. His message was in line with the position taken by Dr Mahathir and the Deputy Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi. In a foreword to the souvenir programme, Dr Mahathir called on members to close ranks and strengthen the party to counter 'the dirty politics of the opposition that could destroy the country'. Mr Badawi, who is acting as Umno's deputy president, warned the party youth against the dangers of political 'chaos' and foreign interference.