Although party leaders have managed to iron out most of the problems in the impending Keadilan-PRM merger, a new discord appears to be in the works concerning the possibility of the parties' organs meshing.

Leaders from both parties appear to agree that their respective publications should merge but are at crossroads as to who should helm it.

Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail told malaysiakini recently that the proposal to merge Berita Keadilan and Suara PRM has been raised in the party's political bureau.

She said this in response to a question on who would replace Berita Keadilan editor Khalid Jaafar, who quit recently.

Critical report

The editor resigned after he was criticised over a report in the publication's latest issue which had party leaders evaluated by several organisations and individuals.

It was said that the report popularly known as the 'Page Seven Report' was unfavorable towards the party's Youth wing as its leaders received dismal appraisals.

Meanwhile, Keadilan secretary-general Sahri Bahri confirmed that the party's political bureau had discussed the issue.

"The editor, however, will be from Keadilan," he stressed.

During Keadilan's annual meet in Kedah over the weekend, speculation was rife among delegates that the new editor for the merged publication will be Suara PRM editor and PRM deputy president Rustam Sani.

Khalid's resignation was announced by Wan Azizah during her winding-up speech at the meet.

When contacted, Rustam said he was unaware of the merger proposal.

He added the matter would probably be raised at a meeting between the two parties regarding the transition of leadership tomorrow..

New name

When told that the new editor will be from Keadilan, Rustam said: "How can that be because it will be a new party."

"When the two papers merge, one will have to be de-registered," he added.

Rustam said the new publication may have a new name and may need an approval from the Home Affairs Ministry.

"Until the merger process is completed, Suara PRM will assume publication as usual, he stressed.

The merged party will be called Parti Keadilan Rakyat Malaysia.

The party will also have a new logo Keadilan's turquoise blue logo with red stripes to symbolise PRM's presence.

In a related development, Sahri said Keadilan has decided to complete the merger process by January next year.

He said Keadilan's political bureau which met on Thursday had discussed the initial steps to implement the merger, including the setting up of a Supreme Council in Transition (SCIT), comprising of leaders from the two parties.

He added the formation of the SCIT was decided after delegates attending Keadilan's annual meet voted overwhelmingly in favour of the merger.

He said other issues laid down are the activities and schedules proposed for the two parties

"We are confident that this transition will go on smoothly and increase our strengths in our struggle to uphold justice and truth," he added in a press statement.