EXCLUSIVE PKR vice-president Mustaffa Kamil Ayub, one of three candidates gunning for the number two post, wants to concentrate on strengthening the party, which had seen its membership rise by 100 percent since the March 2008 elections.

This would be his immediate priority if he wins in next month's party polls.

"There is an immediate need for the party to focus on strengthening unity and inculcate the PKR political culture among party members. We need to build this up within the party.

"As the deputy president, I would focus on this and also to unify the party. After the March 2008 general election there has been a rise in party membership. Hence, there is a need for the new members, who have not been with the party since 1999, to truly understand the party struggle."

NONE Mustaffa, ( right ) who also heads the party's Keadilan Academy, which helps train new members, said the ideals or political values which he wanted to inculcate included moderation, love for each other, unity, giving service to the people and be people-centric.

"These are the ideals which I would like to see PKR members to possess," he said.

Similarly with outgoing deputy president, Syed Husin Ali, formerly from PRM, who was its president before the unification with Keadilan, the deputy president is seen as a person who handles administrative matters.

PKR membership had shot up from what is believed to be 200,000 to over 400,000, according to party officials.

When it was pointed out to Mustaffa that some of the values were merely conceptual in nature, the vice-president agreed it may seem so.

"I understand that among new members it may seem abstract. It is indeed a challenge. I believe we need something tangible to attract members.

"It would be my job or task to transform the ideals into something realistic which could be measured and seen easily," he said.

Questioned as to how he rates from one to five the strength of the party leadership and members at present, Mustaffa reply was three as more remains to be done.

He is seen as more of a trouble-shooter within PKR as he had been once entrusted by the party leadership to head the troubled Sarawak and Terengganu PKR, and once resolved their respective leaders were returned to their posts.

Mustaffa's hope is that the experience he soaked would of benefit of the party if he ascends to the deputy presidency.

Winning with dignity

Mustaffa, who is one of the most senior vice-presidents in the party, having held the post since 2004, said his election campaign will not employ dirty tactics like attacking the others aspirants.

azmin ali interview 220307 size "It is better I lose to the other two challengers in Zaid Ibraim or Azmin Ali ( left) , rather than winning through illegal means and employing tactics which are unfair.

"I want to win with dignity, a principled win and not in any other way. I would not want to violate my own principles to ensure victory. If that is the case, I would rather lose then employ questionable methods like money politics or offering other forms of gratification," he said.

Mustaffa, who was an Abim member and an Asean Youth council president before, said there is a need for a just fight for leaders going for the number two post.

"If there are two or three challengers or more it would be good.. What is important is the need for fair play. For what is important is that we work as a team within PKR to face the bigger challenge ahead that is for the party and Pakatan Rakyat to win the next general election," he said.

On rating his chances, he said he remains positve that they are good as he had toured the country to evaluate his chances.

"In 2007, I was placed number 6 in terms of nominations obtained from divisions but managed to win the number three in the vice-presidency," he said, adding he does not think announcing his candidacy late would affect his chances.

Comparing Zaid and Azmin

Commenting on his challengers, Mustaffa seemed hesitant to say anything bad about them, and agreed each have their own strengths

NONE Zaid, ( right ) he said, possesses certain principles and his addition to the party has been positive despite his criticisms.

"I do not know his intention but I feel party members are wise enough to choose and evaluate their choices. In PKR, the political culture is the leaders can be criticised unlike in Umno," he said.

On Azmin, Mustaffa said since they joined the party at about the same time, let the members evaluate them.

"Zaid is seen as a minister who has principles when he relinquished his post and stood by his principles. I also resigned as Muhyiddin Yassin's political secretary in 1998 and joined the 'reformasi' movement. I may not be glamourous as I do not work with Anwar.

"Azmin is seen to be close with Anwar as he had worked under him. I also shared Anwar's idealism. As a student, I had invited Anwar to several events," he said.

He admitted that he could be an underdog compared to the two but he does possess his strength and support.

Running mates?

Mustaffa also disclosed that negotiations are under way to form teams as he admitted that having a team is beneficial, while on the other hand some leaders may feel sidelined.

"This is something which I am evaluating but it is uncertain," he said.

On the possibility of withdrawing his candidacy, Mustaffa admitted there had been discussions with friends and his team.

"There are negotiations... But, I would state that I am steadfast in offering myself as a deputy president candidate," he said.

Mustaffa was also asked to rate his own performance in the party, which he put at 3.5 out of 5, as there were still things for him to accomplish.

He said he had to be humble, but the members can evaluate his peformance for themselves.

Yesterday: Mustaffa: The Muhyiddin I knew then and now