Lawyer Rhina Bhar was today elected as the new Gerakan Wanita chief after clinching an upset victory over veteran incumbent Kee Phaik Cheen at the party's 15th national delegates conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Rhina obtained 219 votes, a mere 17 more than Kee who received 192 votes out of 420 voting delegates. There were nine spoilt votes.

Rhina, 52, who has been Kee's deputy for 17 years, is the first Indian Malaysian woman to lead the women's wing of the party.

Kee, 55, had never been challenged since she was appointed to the post in 1985, and elected to head the movement two years later. She is a three-term Penang state executive councillor.

Kee as advisor

After the results were announced, Rhina thanked the delegates who voted her as the new Wanita chief and pledged to work closely with her predeccesor.

"I want to appoint Kee as the advisor of the movement. I want to work with everyone. Whether you lose or win, it doesn't matter.

"We are one family and I need you to support what I have just said," Rhina told the 500-strong crowd at the conference at Wisma PGRM.

Rhina also promised to go down to the grassroots to take up their issues, adding that the results of the elections prove that Gerakan was indeed a multiracial party.

Meanwhile, Kee told reporters that she was surprised by the results of the contest.

"I thought the team wanted me. Apparently, they didn't. If they gave me the support, I would have won," she said, looking visibly disappointed.

"I guess they (delegates) want change and we abide by their decision," she added.

However, Kee spurned Rhina's goodwill offer to be the wing's advisor, saying, "There is no such position in the constitution."

But she agreed with Rhina that the team must stay together and advised Rhina to keep to her promise about reaching out to the grassroots.

Kee said she will from now on concentrate on her government portfolio as state exco for Tourism, Women, Culture and Arts, adding that she was happy to have served the party and made it financially sound.

Democracy in Gerakan

Gerakan secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye also conceded that the elections results were "unexpected" as Kee was a long-time Wanita chief.

However, he said that the results showed the "functioning of the democratic process in Gerakan".

"It also reflects the maturity of the wing's delegates [in deciding to] choose a new chief, even though it was a close fight," he told reporters when asked to comment on the historical moment.

"But most of all it shows the multiracial character of Gerakan and our non-racial approach in overcoming whatever ethnic problems," he said, adding that the result was a "first in the history of the party".

Chia later praised the outgoing chief for accepting the change with "maturity, grace, conviction and compassion".

On Rhina's intention to appoint Kee as the wing's advisor, Chia said the move was possible and "not illegal".

"It shows Rhina kept her promise of a friendly fight. There has been no back-stabbing. Kee should continue the good work done.

"Kee can share her experience with the party by becoming an advisor. It's also a way for those defeated to continue to play a role in the party," he added.

Meanwhile, Wanita delegates also voted in three vice-presidents: Ng Ee Koon (402), Eng Gaik Hong (328) and Wong Siew Poh (280). There were 12 spoilt votes.

The committee now has 12 new members: Ngo Kim Hua (378), Yong Nyok Ching (377), Goh Siew Choo (375), Soh Hoon Lee (374), Phuah Lai Wan (374), Foo Jat Pang (372), Yong Oi Lee @ Irene (368), Ong Kin Suan (367), Chin Nyuk Chin (360), Ko Sok Ten (249), Kam Phai Har (231) and Yu Keng Eng (231). There were 33 spoilt votes.

There was no contest for the Youth wing with deputy head Mah Siew Kong returning unopposed after his challenger Kek Guan Chuan withdrew from the fight.

About 1,000 delegates attended today's Youth and Wanita conferences at the party's headquarters Wisma PGRM, officiated by deputy president Kerk Choo Ting.

Some 1,800 delegates are expected to attend the two-day assembly of the party starting Saturday, which will be officiated by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.