The National Union of Journalists members are content with their organisation, judging from last Saturday's election results which saw the incumbents reinstated into the executive council, said a challenger today.

"It is always more difficult for newcomers to beat the incumbent. Possibly this time members did not see the need for change. Members, it would seem, are happy with the status quo," said The Star's Jacqueline Ann Surin, who failed in her bid for the union's general secretary post.

Surin bagged 248 votes while incumbent Hong Boon How, also from The Star , won 712 votes.

However, Surin said that it was not about who won but that NUJ members had been given the democratic right to vote for their preferred candidates.

The counting of the elections ballot was held during its Biennial Delegates Conference, and saw the return of most of the previous exco members.

It was reported that out of a total membership of 1,401, some 1,100 voted in the elections.

Incumbent Cheah Kee Ling ( Nanyang Siang Pau ) maintained her vice-president post with 774 votes while newcomer Rupa Damodaran ( New Straits Times ) filled the second VP post with 640 votes, beating S Ramaguru ( The Star ) and K Kamala ( The Sun ) who garnered 296 and 135 votes respectively.

Woo Bee Ay ( Nanyang ) was returned as assistant general secretary with 789 votes. Newcomer Tony Emmanuel (NST) secured the second assistant general secretary's post with 659 votes. Kamala, who also contested for the VP's post, collected only 354 votes.

When contacted, Kamala told malaysiakini that he had faith in the newly elected exco leadership and "that they will deliver as they are a good, strong team".

He reported that members during the conference had wanted the NUJ to clarify its stand on the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA), the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and other matters pertaining to press freedom.

The recent NUJ election was the first time in a decade which saw the top posts being contested.

Previous stories:

[#1]Journalist body at odds over poll counting venue[/#], Sept 27

[#2]Top NUJ posts contested first time in a decade[/#], Sept 13

For the record

It has been brought to our attention that your website article Polls show NUJ members happy with status quo (Oct 2) written by Leong Kar Yen had stated Mr Cheah Kee Ling as a "her".

Paragraph seven of the article said "Incumbent Cheah Kee Ling ( Nanyang Siang Pau ) maintained her vice-president post with 774 votes..."

We trust your good self to make an immediate correction of the grave error as to avoid further confusion concerning Mr Cheah's gender and the accuracy of your article. On behalf of the Executive Council,

Hong Boon How

General Secretary

National Union of Journalists