PRM's party elections at its 35th national congress in Kuala Lumpur this weekend will most probably see a change of guards in its central committee.

In a press statement, the party secretariat said while younger leaders are expected to be elected, senior ones are expected to withdraw from the party's leadership.

"There will be party elections this year and most likely there will be changes to the leadership (the central committee)," read the statement.

The secretariat said discussions at the two-day congress will focus on plans to strengthen party unity, enhance grassroots support and prepare for the coming general election.

"We hope PRM can play a bigger role in politics since the party has many principled and tested leaders, multi-racial members and has been struggling for reformasi and social justice for a long time.

"The country and PRM are at a very significant crossroads now. PRM members need to struggle progressively based on principles of justice, democracy, equality, unity and welfare of the people, to achieve a just society," said the secretariat.

Merger issue

At its congress last year, PRM made the historical decision to merge with Keadilan and set up a new party Parti Keadilan Rakyat Malaysia.

However, the merger has been stalled and the ball is in Keadilan's court now as it failed to obtain a two-third majority at its annual general meeting last year to amend its constitution.

The merger issue has inadvertently split Keadilan, whose pro-Abim (Malaysian Muslim Youth Organisation) members, have distanced themselves from the party.

Keadilan's proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be used to lobby delegates to support the merger at the party's AGM this October.

It learnt that in the MOU, Keadilan has concurred with PRM on several issues including the parties' stand on socio-political issues, the new entity's name and symbol which will incorporate PRM's red stripes on the left and right borders of Keadilan's blue flag.

Delegates' decision

Meanwhile, PRM secretary-general Dr Sanusi Osman said "it was up to the party delegates to decide the leadership".

"It is after all election year for the central committee and the youth and the party delegates will decide the new leadership," he told malaysiakini .

Sanusi said while discussions will focus on the party's merger with Keadilan, he has yet to see the MOU which is to be signed by the presidents of both parties.

However, he added, the memorandum will be brought to the party's delegates this weekend for endorsement.

"If the MOU is based on our previous agreement with Keadilan, we have no problems endorsing it. But if there are amendments, we must first get the approval of the party delegates," he said.