Keadilan leader Lokman Noor Adam has cited possible financial irregularities involving management of the party coffers as among his grouses against the leadership led by Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor.

He stated this in a three-page letter addressed to the Keadilan supreme council - the party's highest decision-making body - in anticipation of its meeting at 3pm today, which is expected to hear a report on his open dispute with Ezam in recent days.

In the letter, Lokman urged party leaders to act on four key issues, three of which were linked to the absence of proper accounting for funds donated to the party.

"All donations have to be entered into the party accounts and not kept by any individual," he said although he did not mention any names.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the distribution of such funds, he said the party leadership should work out some form of minimal assistance to various Youth, Wanita, state or divisional committees so that they can start preparing party machinery for the upcoming general election.

'Powerful' individuals

In addition, Lokman said the supreme council should also check attempts by any individuals to rule according to personal wishes.

"Don't let any one person grow so powerful that he takes over decision-making powers of the party leadership," he said. While he did not name the individual, it is likely that he was referring to Ezam.

He said the party should show more appreciation to its workers and reformasi activists who have worked hard to organise programmes.

"I have asked (Ezam) to give more attention to the welfare of young activists especially those who work full-time for the party such as SD Johari, Badrulhisham Shahrin and Abdul Ghani Haroon."

The latter two complaints by Lokman are likely to have been made in reaction to his problems within the Youth wing which saw him replaced as executive secretary last week in a cloud of controversy.

Aside from commenting yesterday on widespread rumours that Lokman had accepted a deal to rejoin Umno, Ezam had claimed that the former youth secretary tried to persuade other Keadilan members to defect with him. Lokman has denied both allegations.

Lokman also raised several other recent disagreements that he has had with the Youth chief over the allocation of the allowance for the secretary's post, which he deemed insufficient.

"If he had helped me to resolve my house and car problems, it would not have been so difficult for me to bear the cost of raising my family and my own expenses," he said, claiming in turn that Ezam was living well by building a house and buying a new car.

He also criticised Ezam for subjecting him to dismissive treatment and said this had prompted him to consider quitting Keadilan altogether.

"He has used insulting words towards me such as 'no brains', 'cannot think' and claims that he does all the work alone. His 'body language' indicates that he wanted me to quit the secretary's post... His inhuman behaviour has made me consider whether to leave Keadilan."

Nevertheless, Lokman insisted that he had not rejoined Umno since his sacking from the party on Oct 6, 1998.

Lokman was among the six reformasi activists, which also included Ezam, who were held under the ISA for two years for allegedly planning to topple the government through militant means.

The firebrand orator started his political career with Keadilan as the party's Johor Youth chief before being appointed as a national youth exco member after the 1999 general election.

He was then appointed as secretary to the wing in 2000 until his arrest and detention under the ISA the following year. He was reappointed to the post upon his release last June.

Disciplinary action

Responding to the contents of the letter this morning, Ezam dismissed Lokman's claims and said the letter was simply meant to serve as a "diversion from the real issue".

"Where is the proof? There is no proof and these are just the actions of a desperate man. I removed him as secretary because he is joining Umno and because he has been asking others to go with him. Other things we can tolerate, but not this," he said.

He also said that, in order to settle the matter, Lokman should be present at the supreme council meeting to explain himself.

"He is a member of the supreme council. He should come for the meeting today and defend himself," he said.

On the procedures for replacing Lokman, Ezam said it is within his powers as Youth chief to appoint or dismiss the wing's secretary.

When contacted yesterday, Keadilan vice-president Azmin Ali said Ezam is due to present a full report on the matter to the party supreme council meeting.

"Two things are possible. The supreme council could issue Lokman a show-cause letter so as to give him the right of reply or it could refer the case to the party disciplinary committee. The committee would then investigate and make recommendations to the supreme council on the next steps that should be taken," he said.

Asked if the supreme council could also decide to dismiss Lokman summarily today, he said, "I don't know. It would depend on the seriousness of the report."

In an interview with malaysiakini yesterday, Ezam had also revealed that Keadilan is expecting several defections by key party leaders to Umno in the near future.

He claimed that serious efforts are underway by Umno to "lure" certain leaders with the promise of appointments to political posts and financial benefits.

However, Umno vice-president Najib Abdul Razak was quoted in newspapers today as saying that no financial benefits would be offered to anyone wishing to join the party, including those from the opposition.

He said that individuals wishing to join the party should do so without imposing any condition and must be willing to accept the party's struggle and abide by its discipline.