The imminent merger of two opposition Malay-based parties may further split the Malays and some may return to Umno, said a member of the Muslim Youth Movement (Abim) who is close to the organisation's leadership.

The source, who requested anonymity, said the pro-Abim faction in Keadilan are not totally against merging with fellow opposition party PRM, but they think the political consequences of the merger on Malay support may be damaging.

"Almost 50 percent of Malays left Umno for Keadilan because they wanted a different kind of leadership. This group does not accept PAS, DAP or PRM," said the member.

"We are afraid when the merger happens, this group will go back to Umno," he added.

Yesterday, Keadilan members voiced their concern that party leaders are not confident of delegates' support for the merger proposal to be tabled at its annual general meeting on Sunday.

Party sources claimed there was intense lobbying against the merger at branch level nationwide. They said the opposing faction, including Abim activists, perceive PRM as a socialist party and un-Islamic.

Keadilan was formed in 1998 in the wake of the shock sacking of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. It comprises mostly disgruntled Umno members, NGO and reformasi activists, and those who are pro-Abim and another pro-Anwar Islamic group, the Jamaah Islah Malaysia.

It is believed that the pro-Abim faction, which has an extensive national network, is not happy with the merger because the injection of PRM leaders could threaten their power base.

According to the source from Abim, the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition will use the merger to attack the opposition in the coming general elections in 2004.

"Although in truth there are fundamental differences in ideology between us, we can still work them out. But BN, with its propaganda machinery, can exploit the issue and attack us easily," he said.

"There is also no guarantee that we can get more non-Muslim support as the Chinese are a practical lot. They see who is winning and they vote for that party," he added.

Not sufficient

He added that the Keadilan leadership must be able to convince its members of the merits of the merger, and insisted that one year was not sufficient to come to a satisfactory conclusion.

"Let democracy take its place. Why rush into it? We need more time to explain to the grassroots," he said.

"In any case, if Keadilan leaders cannot convince their grassroots to accept the merger, don't blame others.

He said critics should stop accusing Abim of seeking to derail the merger.

"It is not good for the party," he added.

He said Keadilan may lose what it has gained thus far in terms of support.

"However, we must realise we cannot win votes just by going out to demonstrate or by raising issues," he said.

"We have to show people how we would run this country. We cannot do this until we take over the government," he added.

He urged Keadilan members who support the merger not to highlight internal problems but concentrate on how to convince members that the merger is advantageous to the party.

"If they are not willing to do this but instead condemn those who oppose the merger, then they are worse than Umno," he said.

"They are already showing their true colours - that they do not accept dissenting views," he added.