The only rose among the thorns in the race for the top echelon in Gerakan, Rhina Bhar, said she was surprised to have received the support of presidential challenger Kerk Choo Ting.

"I am surprised. What I said (in my speech) was that Gerakan should chart history by electing a woman vice-president.

"I never expected it to come from Kerk," she was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Rhina, the party's former Wanita chief, had raised eyebrows last week when she announced her decision to contest for one of three vice-president posts at stake.

There are four other delegates in the running.

Meanwhile, Rhina said Kerk was interested in supporting her as a victory would be good for the party.

Should that happen tomorrow, Gerakan will be the only political party in the country with an elected woman vice-president.

Kerk had voiced his support for Rhina in his opening address at the Youth and Wanita national delegates conference this morning.

Following this, Rhina, who was also on the stage, stood up and raised her hands in acknowledgment.

Remain united

On the results for the Wanita chief contest, she said it was a clean election and the delegates had chose the right person to lead the wing.

Responding to a question, she also hoped that the results would not lead to a split in the wing.

"I hope there will not be a split, it will disappoint me. I want them to be like siblings no matter what the results," she said.

The Wanita chief contest was won by Tan Lian Hoe who beat rival Surin Leong by 281 votes.

Tan, who is the party's Perak Wanita chief, polled 348 votes while Leong, who heads the Federal Territory wing, garnered 130 votes. There were three spoilt votes.

Tan is aligned to party president Dr Lim Keng Yaik while Leong openly supported Kerk.

The new Wanita chief later told reporters that the wing also fully supported Rhina's bid for the vice-presidency as this is the first time a woman is contesting for the male dominated post.