Will Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik retain his post with an overwhelming majority?

The fate of the veteran politician will be known later this afternoon after the votes are counted at the party's national delegates conference (NDC) held at the Gerakan headquarters in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Although many expected Keng Yaik to retain the presidency, the contest with his long-time deputy Kerk Choo Ting today has put him under tremendous pressure.

This morning, Keng Yaik, Kerk, newly-elected deputy president Dr Koh Tsu Koon and former president Dr Lim Chong Eu held a 20-minute private meeting at a VIP room at the party headquarters.

Kerk was summoned to the room at 8.45am where Keng Yaik and Chong Eu were waiting. Koh, who was waiting outside the room also went in after Kerk's arrival.

Earlier, two party guests unintentionally went into the room and Koh, who was at the door, nervously instructed party workers to lead the duo to another VIP room.

At about 9am, Batu MP Ng Lip Yong who wanted to enter the room was also stopped from doing so.

Five minutes later, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi arrived and the top three Gerakan leaders came out to receive him.

Keng Yaik and Kerk also entertained photographers' request to shake hand and pose for photos. However there was no eye contact between the two throughout the photo session and they walked towards different directions after that.

Asked by malaysiakini what transpired at the 20-minute meeting, Keng Yaik declined comment. He also requested photographers to stop taking pictures of him.

30 percent

Approached later and asked how he felt, Keng Yaik lighted up and responded, "Why do you think I am smoking?".

He said he slept well last night but was busy preparing for his 11-page keynote address for the NDC today. He also expressed his sadness that the party's image has been tarnished by the campaigning.

Asked whether he was particularly nervous this time as he was facing his long-time deputy, Keng Yaik replied, "Election is a right and a responsibility, but everything is okay."

All eyes are now focussed on how many votes Kerk could get as political pundits had predicted that he would only be able to garner between 30 and 35 percent of the votes at best.

Keng Yaik won the first round when Tan Lian Hoe, who backed him, won the Wanita chief post overwhelmingly yesterday by defeating Surin Leong, a Kerk supporter.

'Menu' list distributed

Meanwhile, a few versions of 'cai tan' or 'menu' (preferred candidates list) were openly circulated at the assembly and it became a hot topic among delegates.

A green-coloured 'menu' said to be endorsed by the party president has listed S Vijayaratnam, Teng Hock Nan and Chang Ko Youn as the preferred vice-president candidates.

It also endorsed Lim Thuang Seng, Chok Kon Phin, Liew Yew Aw, Huan Cheng Guan, Chia Kwang Chye, Lee Kah Choon, Chua Chong An, Lim Kheng Guan, Lau Yeng Peng, Khoo Soo Chai, Cheong Chin Leong and A Kohillay Pillay as the preferred central committee members.

A total of 29 candidates are vying for 12 central committee member posts.

In a white-coloured 'menu', all names remained except for Pillay who was replaced by newly-elected Wanita deputy chief Yong Dai Ying.

The 'menu' on Kerk's side was also said to be circulated as well, albeit on a smaller scale. Most of the delegates claimed they have no knowledge of Kerk's 'menu'.

However, it is learnt that the preferred vice-president candidates in Kerk's list are Rhina Bhar, Dr Tan Kee Kwong and Teng. The list of the preferred central committee members contains some overlapping names.