Despite Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik's call on party members to retain their top seven leaders at the party's triennial elections next week, it is uncertain whether the request will be heeded by the grassroots at the nominations tomorrow.

Already, the leaders of the Pemuda and Wanita wings are being challenged as nominations for the two posts ended this afternoon with three contestants running for the former and two for the latter.

The nominations for the Gerakan central committee president, deputy president and three vice-presidents, and 18 committee members will be open for submission from 10am to 12pm tomorrow.

'Consensus, our culture'

Party deputy president Kerk Choo Ting said no contest is "expected" tomorrow as there is a "consensus among the leaders" that it is best for the top seven to be kept for another three-year term.

But he added that no member is barred from contesting for any party post.

"Gerakan is democratic, united and purposeful. We have our own culture in the party that is, seeking consensus among the leaders and members," he said when contacted.

His statement echoed that of Lim on Saturday, that Gerakan would want to pre-empt any challenge to the top seven Lim, Kerk, secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye, national treasurer Ng Chiang Chin, vice-presidents Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Dr S Vijayaratnam and Dr Tan Kee Kwong.

"There are 1,800 delegates and one fellow may be angin (adventurous) enough to take on the president to make himself popular and I cannot stop him," Lim had said.

Party insiders said even if there are challenges to the top seven tomorrow, the contenders are unlikely to pose any serious threat to the incumbents.

Earlier today, Gerakan Wanita deputy chairperson Rhina Bhar submitted her nomination form to challenge Kee Phaik Cheen, a three-term Penang state executive councillor, who has led the movement since 1985.

The Youth wing will also see some excitement as Mah Siew Keong and Kek Guan Chuan, both from Perak, will run for the chairperson's post vacated by Teng Chang Yeow who had announced his plan this week not to seek re-election.

The Gerakan Pemuda and Wanita elections will be held next Friday, followed by the party's 31st national delegates conference and the central body polls on Saturday.

Power vacuum

Speculation has been about in recent years that Gerakan chief Lim, who has helmed the party for 22 years, may retire from the top leadership.

However, his withdrawal has been put on hold over concern that it may leave a vacuum that opens the door for a power struggle between two groups centred around Kerk and Koh.

Kerk is the Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister while Koh is the Penang chief minister.

Shortly after the party's annual meet last year, Lim said he had yet to decide on when to retire. This was interpreted by observers as a move to buy time for a smooth leadership transition within Gerakan.

Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad will open Gerakan's meeting next week.