Changes at the top of Transparency International's (TI) Malaysia chapter have been effected, although not without further controversy that saw another resignation.

Deputy president Lee Chong San moved into the president's slot at a meeting last Wednesday, while exco member Anwar Fazal is now the deputy president.

The meeting was chaired by Lee himself in the absence of Param ( photo ), whose resignation as president had sparked an internal crisis .

While the majority of the eight exco members who attended had voted for Lee and Anwar by a show of hands, one member walked out in protest and tendered his resignation the following day.

He has yet to respond to questions sent via fax by malaysiakini .

Some members were also critical of the presence of Lee and Anwar during voting, saying this was "highly irregular" and that it "goes against organisational procedure and norms".

When contacted, Lee admitted that two exco members had protested during the meeting and had asked for the new appointments to be deferred, preferably after deliberation by TI members at the annual general meeting slated for March 18.

However, Lee argued that the exco members are "obliged to fill in the vacancies as soon as possible" and the appointments were made in accordance with the constitution.

Article 10(c) of the TI constitution reads: "In the event of any vacancy arising in respect of the office of the president, deputy president, secretary-general or treasurer, the exco shall at its next meeting or soon as may be thereafter elect one of its members to fill in the vacancy."

On his and Anwar's presence during voting, he said: "The constitution only says exco members will make the appointments, it does not say who shall not vote. It is a gross misinterpretation of fact to criticise (his and Anwar's presence)."

He cited instances where candidates standing for political party elections or general election are entitled to cast a vote.

Lee and Anwar are expected to be in office until the next election in 2007.

'Rally behind agenda'

On the resignation of the exco member, Lee declined to elaborate beyond saying that this "was linked to last Wednesday's meeting".

He said the exco members have yet to deliberate or accept the resignation, but expressed hope that the internal crisis will end with the new leadership taking over.

"I would hate to see internal disagreement that hinders our goal to fight corruption. I hope everyone can rally behind this (agenda)," he said.

Param quit TI earlier this month, citing personal differences with secretary-general Prof Mehrun Siraj.

At the same time, Lee tendered his resignation due to differences with Param but was persuaded to withdraw it later on grounds that the latter had relinquished his post.

It is believed that Mehrun had written a scathing email to Param when he asked about a financial matter involving the organisation and that this triggered his resignation.