One of the more radical changes Keadilan will have to adjust to following its impending merger with PRM, is having young women members in its Youth wing which at present comprises only men.

Other than PRM*

, no other political party in the country has a unisex Youth wing. Most young women who want to join politics can only find representation in the women's wing of the political parties of their interest.

It is learnt that Keadilan had suggested that a young women's brigade be set up in the party, similar to Puteri Umno, but the idea has been shot down by members.

Puteri Umno was launched two years ago to accommodate women below 35 in the dominant Malay party which only started to recognise this century that there is possible niche for young women in politics.

Since the merger process began, PRM leaders have made efforts to push the agenda of equality between men and women in politics as the whole idea is intended to bring "progressive elements" into Keadilan.

Keadilan and PRM Youth are confident that the move will take place eventually although it may require some time.

"We have already agreed to it in principle. It has to happen but of course, we cannot expect it to happen overnight," said PRM deputy Youth chief Latheefa Koya when contacted.

"There are technicalities to consider such as the status of membership and positions held by current leaders in PRM," she added.

Resistance

Malaysiakini learnt that there is resistance towards the new initiative in Keadilan and there may be movements of members out of both parties irrespective of whether such changes occur or not.

Latheefa said it may be good for such people to leave as the newly merged party should not retain "regressive" elements.

She reiterated the need for equality in the Youth wing, saying that there is no justification to separate young people in this new political era.

"There is no other way around it. But if the unusual comes by, which I doubt it will, the young women in PRM will find it difficult to revive their roles as Youth leaders," she added.

When contacted, Keadilan deputy chief Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he welcomed any enterprise that would enhance the party's image.

Saifuddin added leaders of both parties have met several times to discuss the issue of women joining the merged Youth wings.

He said that "anything is possible" in politics, adding that he does not foresee any problem in connection with the matter.

Wing criticised

Meanwhile, Keadilan Wanita information chief Zuraida Kamaruddin initially opined that young women in PRM should join the party's Wanita wing during the merger.

"They (PRM) should subject themselves to the rules and regulations of the party," she said.

However, when informed that the Keadilan Youth constitution does not specify membership according to a certain sex, Zuraida said the party should then be open to "any new concept or challenges to orthodox ideas".

She said the seeming reluctance of young women members in PRM to join the Wanita wing may be due to the composition of the wing's membership in terms of occupation.

"Most young women in PRM are professionals. Those in Keadilan Wanita are mostly ex-Umno members, Muslim non-governmental activists, housewives and corporate women," she said.

"The young women in PRM may find it difficult to fit into the current Wanita wing," she added.

The idea of women members in Keadilan Youth appears to find favour with at least one leader from Melaka, who said he would encourage the new dynamics as it may revive the "sluggish" movement.

The Youth wing has been criticised in the party's organ Berita Keadilan and its recent annual general meeting for its ineffectiveness and inability to revive the reformasi movement spawned in 1998 by the sacking of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar is currently serving a 15-year jail sentence in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, for sodomy and corruption.

*Erratum: It has been pointed

out to us on Nov 1 that DAP Youth, too, is unisex. We regret the oversight.