It's the fifth consecutive victory for Dr Lim Keng Yaik, as he is once again returned to the helm of Gerakan, but it was a tight race nonetheless.

The veteran politician seemed under pressure at times when he underwent weeks of intensive verbal jousting with his heir-apparent-turned-nemesis Kerk Choo Ting who respectably secured more than one-third of the votes.

Even up to the very last minute, Lim made no secret about the mounting pressure. After all, he had held the post for 25 years and his challenger is an established and experienced politician who has been his deputy for 16 years.

Approached by malaysiakini early this morning on how he felt, the weary and beleaguered energy, water and communications minister replied by first lighting up a cigarette.

However, as the results trickled in late in the afternoon, the mood changed.

Arriving at the media room with newly installed deputy president Dr Koh Tsu Khoon and former secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye an hour before the results were announced, Lim appeared confident that he has won the seat.

As it turns out, Lim garnered 983 votes (61%) while Kerk secured 628 votes (39%). There were six spoilt votes.

'Acceptable' results

The party president told a press conference later that the results were "acceptable" and that the delegates have accepted Koh as his successor.

"This was fair enough. This was a fair result. I have no headache but also have no excessive happiness," he said.

He explained that he won narrowly in the past three challenges for the presidency, so by securing the 61% votes was acceptable.

"Kerk has been deputy president for almost 16 years. So he must have some sympathy votes apart from 30% members who are normally not happy with the party," he said.

"I will hand over the presidency to Koh as soon as possible. No doubt whether I will go or not. Definitely I will go," he added.

Lim has earlier announced that he will retire in 2007.

Amend constitution

He said to ensure a smooth leadership transition, he will propose an amendment to the party's constitutions next year to allow the appointment of an acting president if the presidency is vacant less than half of the three-year term.

"I'll keep my word to step down and I've already thought of the hand-over process," he said.

Under the present party's constitution, a fresh election must be held 30 days after the president post is vacant.

Asked about his relationship with Kerk now, Lim said he did not harbour anger against the latter but a future relationship has to depend on both sides.

To another question on whether he will retain Kerk as deputy minister or appoint him into the party's central committee, Lim said that is subjected to the collective decision of the party's central committee.

He declined to comment whether he will appoint Koh to be a federal minister after his retirement.

Kerk is deputy minister for agriculture and agro-based industries while Koh is Penang's chief minister.

Rhina fails

Dr S Vijayaratnam (1186 votes), Dr Teng Hock Nan (1256votes) and Chang Ko Youn (1044 votes) - all aligned to Lim's camp - won the three vice president posts.

Kerk's strong supporter - Dr Tan Kee Kwong (682 votes) - failed in his bid to retain the post as vice president. The only female candidate for vice presidency, Rhina Bhar, only secured 557 votes. There were 42 spoilt votes.

Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Health Lee Kah Choon, Selangor state exco Dr Lim Thuang Seng and Deputy Internal Security Minister Chia Kwang Chye garnered the three highest votes among the 12 central committee members elected.

Dr Koh Tsu Koon won the deputy presidency uncontested last week.

The full results:

President:

Dr Lim Keng Yaik* - 983

Kerk Choo Ting - 628

Vice President (3 posts):

Dr S Vijayaratnam* - 1186

Dr Teng Hock Nan - 1256

Chang Ko Youn - 1044

Dr Tan Kee Kwong* - 682

Rhina Bhar - 557

Committee members (12 posts)

Lee Kah Choon - 1307

Dr Lim Thuang Seng - 1249

Chia Kwang Chye - 1247

Chua Chong An - 1079

Cheong Chin Liang - 1046

Chok Kon Phin - 1043

Huan Cheng Guan - 1006

Liew Yew Aw - 974

Lau Yeng Peng - 972

Lim Kheng Guan - 967

Khoo Soo Chai - 921

A Kohilan Pillay Appu - 880

Losers:

Chan Meng Kee

Goh Lai Heng

K K Subramaniam

Leong Yu Loon

Hiew Yew Can

Cheah Soon Hai

Leong Kan Yuet

Cheung Khai Yan

T Mathi Alagam

Yong Dai Ying

Tan Ah Been

Husain Bin Bahaudin

Chew Fook Keong

G Krishnan

Thong Ah Nee

Lau Kok Guan

Yeong Sing Chee

* denotes incumbent