Updated version

Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today gave assurances to delegates at the party's special Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the Keadilan-PRM merger that the merger "will not change" the party.

She said the party's principles would be strengthened to include emphasis on issues which had always been on PRM's agenda such as poverty and housing for the poor.

"Both parties are Malay-based and multi-racial and represent a new kind of politics, a politics where racial sentiments will be minimised," she said, in her presidential speech at the Angkasa Auditorium in Kelana Jaya, Selangor, this morning.

"We will add the word ' rakyat ' (people) to our party name because indeed we are a party for the people," she told the 309-odd delegates who came from 97 divisions nationwide to cast their votes in a secret ballot to decide on the merger.

If the merger is approved, the new entity will be called Parti Keadilan Rakyat Malaysia. PRM would have to dissolve and its members join Keadilan.

Since talks of the merger between the two Malay-based opposition parties were floated mid-last year, their leadership have had to deal with differing views from members.

Some members feared losing their identities and were unwilling to abandon their 'glorious' past, while others, especially those in Keadilan, expressed fears that PRM was a socialist or communist party and was 'un-Islamic'.

Anwar's approval

Recently, malaysiakini reported that there was intense lobbying by some factions in Keadilan against the merger proposal.

Party sources revealed that some Keadilan feared losing their positions when PRM leaders, who are said to be more experienced and tested, come on board.

Wan Azizah said in her speech that the party leadership will be determined "democratically as both parties uphold the philosophy of freedom and consultation".

She also said that it was an open secret that her husband, jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, supported the Keadilan-PRM merger.

"He wants it done as soon as possible but he is aware that there are some who may object to the idea," she said.

"He has asked that the format and procedures of discussion be improved to look into all aspects of the merger before a decision is made," she added.

Wan Azizah admitted that while a large percentage of Keadilan members supported the merger, there were small groups who opposed it.

Party leaders had told malaysiakini recently that while Penang, Federal Territory, Terengganu and Perak are 100 percent behind the merger, states such as Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan are against it.

Constitution protected

Meanwhile, in his open letter to the delegates attending the special AGM, Anwar said the merger between Keadilan and PRM will provide it the 'right balance and strength' to attract more members into its ranks.

The move would also enable it to play a more prominent role in Sabah and Sarawak, he added.

He also said that the merger will see a more dynamic party, comprising vibrant leadership from Keadilan coupled with the experience and capabilities of the PRM leaders.

"PRM is a party which has been time-tested and has undergone various experiences in its history," said Anwar.

He also said that Keadilan's policies and constitution will be protected under the merger.

Anwar is presently undergoing 15-year jail term for abuse of power and sodomy.

Letters of support for the merger from three Keadilan leaders being detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), Ezam Mohamad Nor, Tian Chua and Saari Sungib, were also distributed to the delegates.

A total of 309 delegates from Keadilan's 97 divisions nationwide are currently voting on three resolutions which will allow the merger to go through.