Keadilan's endorsement of several appointments over the weekend appears to be an effort by the leadership to mend bridges between the various internal factions ahead of the party's merger with Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM).

Keadilan's top leadership o­n Saturday approved the appointment of Mustapha Kamil Ayub as secretary-general, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail ( left ) and Dr Xavier Jayakumar as vice-presidents and Khalid Jaafar ( right ) as the new information chief.

The positions are temporary until the new merged entity, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), is recognised by the Registrar of Societies. After that, the transitional leadership which was determined by both sides earlier this year will take over.

Comeback

Mustapha is widely known to be backed by the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement or Abim members within the party. The Abim faction had felt slighted when several members were ousted in the party's election in Kemaman in November 2001.

Mustapha was then the deputy chief of Keadilan Youth but was later defeated by Lunas state assembly representative Saifuddin Nasution Ismail during the election.

He was also said to be part of the group of 22 who staged a walkout at last year's annual general meeting in Sungai Petani, Kedah, during the motion to endorse the amendments to the Keadilan constitution to facilitate its merger with PRM.

Mustapha's 'comeback' appears to indicate the recognition of Keadilan leaders of the need to garner the support of the Abim sympathisers within the party who are able to mobilise mass support in preparations for the coming general election, due latest by next November.

Mustapha's predecessor Sahri Bahri tendered his resignation in January, apparently to pave the way for Keadilan deputy president Abdul Rahman Othman to be secretary-general for the new party, and PRM chief Dr Syed Husin Ali ( photo ) to be deputy president.

Sacrifices and appeasements

Khalid, another influential member, was recalled to serve the party after having resigned last year as editor of the party organ Berita Keadilan , in the wake of criticism of his critical coverage of the performance of several party leaders.

Saifuddin was given another opportunity to contribute after giving up his post as Keadilan deputy Youth chief earlier this year. This was to allow PRM Youth chief Faisal Sanusi to assume the post of PKR Youth deputy chief.

The No 1 Youth position in the new party will be assumed by Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor who is currently serving a two-year jail term for breaching the Official Secrets Act.

Jayakumar's appointment may appease Indian Malaysians in the party who had wanted a VP of their own ethnic group.

Current vice-presidents in Keadilan are Hulu Kelang state assembly representative Azmin Ali ( left ), Internal Security Act detainee Tian Chua ( right ) and former Penang mufti Sheikh Azmi Ahmad.

After the party's last AGM, several Indian Malaysian members formed a loose grouping - Keadilan Indian Action Group - to oversee the welfare of members of their ethnic group.

Restoring confidence

When contacted yesterday, Mustapha said his immediate role was to bridge the gap between the various "strengths" within the party.

"I do not want to say factions. I want to say there are many strengths in Keadilan and my job is to mend the bridge between all members and consolidate the party," he said.

"It's a very heavy responsibility, particularly after what the party (raised many issues in the) last two AGMs."

Mustapha said he would focus o­n restoring confidence within the party which had suffered after its last AGM in October last year.

He added that, before Keadilan could win the confidence of voters, it first needed to gain the confidence of its own members who are obviously divided.

On his appointment, Jayakumar said he hoped it would prove a "blessing" to all concerned.

"I urge all Indian (Malaysian) members to come forward now and work together with everyone else. This is a multi-racial party. We must never try to deviate from that," he said.

He also said his new role would focus o­n negotiating with DAP over seats for the coming general election, although disagreement is already apparent.

Keadilan is annoyed by DAP's harping o­n its intention to contest in its "traditional" seats, while DAP was slighted by a Barisan Alternatif plan to contest 60 percent of state seats in Penang, Perak and Selangor.

Khalid and Saifuddin could not reached for comment o­n their appointments.