In a final pep talk to the powerful youth and women's wings of his ruling National Front coalition, Mahathir launched another fierce attack on his erstwhile heir apparent. "When Anwar was in the government, he could afford to buy expensive French suits and Gucci shoes and there were no riots. But since the mastermind left the government, the riots have started again," he said.

Anwar and the National Justice Party (Keadilan) headed by his wife will create havoc to disrupt the polls when they find they cannot win, he said. "Keadilan will lose 100 percent. When they find that they have no support, some of them will feelfrustrated and the leadership will ask them to riot in the streets," the premier said.

Mahathir recalled how Anwar's supporters took to the streets after he was sentenced to six years' jail in April and when he was hospitalised for alleged arsenic poisoning two months ago. "He showed a pitiful face and said he had been poisoned with arsenic but it is a lie," he said, adding Anwar had now become wiser and claimed he had headaches instead.

"His intention is to spark anger among his followers so that they will riot," he said, adding, "When they know they cannot win, I believe they will again try to riot to disrupt the election." As Keadilan is a small party, Mahathir said he would "not be surprised if foreign powers help them to create havoc in our country" and urged his coalition to cooperate with police to ensure polls proceeded smoothly.

"We do not want a government that is the choice of (US Vice President) Al Gore. We do not want a government controlled by foreign powers or one controlled by the IMF.We want a government of our own choice." Gore last year incurred Mahathir's wrath by praising Anwar's supporters as "brave" people.

Mahathir said the poll was not a test of popularity between him and Anwar. "This is not a beauty contest to find out who is the most beautiful or most popular."

Anwar was sacked and arrested in September 1998 and found guilty in April on four charges of abusing his power to cover up allegations of sexual misconduct. He is now on trial for sodomy but says he is the victim of a top-level political conspiracy. Anwar is the candidate for Prime minister of the Opposition Alternative Front alliance.