The abrupt resignation of party organ Berita Keadilan 's editor Khalid Jaafar was viewed by certain quarters to be the result of Keadilan leaders' restriction on the freedom of expression

The editor was said to have been pressured to relinquish his post following a controversial report, popularly known as the 'Page Seven Report', which appeared in the paper's latest edition.

The report, much to the chagrin of some, saw party leaders evaluated by several organisations and individuals.

However, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (photo) denied the accusation, saying that it was normal for political parties to review its policies and reshuffle its people.

The party's Youth wing was hit hard in the report as its leaders attracted negative appraisals from those interviewed.

The Youth leaders made their dissatisfaction about the report known at the party's annual general assembly in Sungai Petani, Kedah, over the weekend.

Following the criticism levelled against him, Khalid offered to resign and Wan Azizah announced the decision during her winding-up speech at the annual meet.

Although the editor cited personal reasons for his decision, it is learnt that he did not want to be part of another controversy which will burden the president.

Wan Azizah is already said to be under intense pressure in trying to control the different factions in the party.

Can of worms

However, the latest resignation has opened a can of worms and there appears to be cracks in the Youth wing with the fingers pointing at its deputy chief Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Yesterday, Youth exco member S Manikavasagam resigned from the party and urged all Indian Malaysian members to do the same since the party did not value their contribution.

The Youth leader was specifically piqued with Saifuddin's speech at the annual meet which attacked supreme council member N Gobalakrishnan ( photo ).

Malaysiakini learnt that other Youth leaders have aired their concern to the wing's vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

When met yesterday, Shamsul said the party should allow freedom of expression and its leaders must be able to accept constructive criticisms.

"Democracy must not only exist but must be seen to exist. This principle should be applied in the party.

"It should be practised especially by those who talk about it all the time or else whatever we say would be a slap in the face. We are sad that we are unable to promote a new culture of politics to the people," he said.

On the Berita Keadilan report which claimed that the Youth wing was ineffective and lacked direction, Shamsul said leaders should accept the criticism with an "open heart" and not "over-react".

The Youth leader also described Khalid's resignation as "a loss to the party" and urged the leadership to replace him with someone just as professional, who will allow the views of ordinary people to be heard and not only those of leaders.

Criticism subjective

Meanwhile, Saifuddin denied that the editor was pressured to resign.

When contacted, he said Khalid made the decision a long time ago as he felt that he could contribute to the party more effectively in other ways.

On the criticisms against the wing, which appeared in the paper, Saifuddin said the issue of ineffectiveness was subjective but conceded that the allegations should not be dismissed.

"We accept the criticism. No one has been disciplined for airing their views. We've done our best but we may be unable to satisfy everyone,"he said.

"The most important thing is that we carry out programmes that we have collectively proposed and organised," he added.

Saifuddin said the wing's members wanted to see Keadilan Youth geared up effectively for the coming general elections as the contest will determine the survival or death of the party.