Keadilan today denied that factionalism was breaking up the multi-ethnic party and that was the reason for several of its top leaders in not seeking re-elections in the party's elections next month.

Keadilan secretary-general Mohd Anuar Tahir told malaysiakini today that although the party members in Keadilan came from different backgrounds, they were all united in fighting for the party's ideologies.

Shrugging off the speculations of a break up, he explained that it was 'normal' for speculations to arise during any party elections.

"Like other political parties, there will be all kinds of speculations. It's normal," Anuar said.

"This is just part of the dynamics when elections come. The party is still intact and everyone is looking forward to the elections," he added.

It was reported by certain media that Keadilan was facing "leadership crisis" and was marred by factionalism.

Two of Keadilan's top leaders, deputy president Dr Chandra Muzaffar and vice-president Zainur Zakaria have recently indicated that they will not retain their respective posts in the party's supreme council. Similar announcement was made by the party's Youth vice-chairman Hamdan Taha on Tuesday.

Personal differences

Chandra said he wanted to give more attention to his non-governmental organisation activities while Zainur, a lawyer, wanted to concentrate on his legal practise.

Their decisions were however reported by the New Straits Times today to be influenced by other factors such as their "personal differences" in the party .

Nevertheless, both said that they will remain as ordinary members in Keadilan.

When contacted by malaysiakini today, Zainur said factions exist in all political parties, including Umno, as people are bound to have different opinions.

However, he stressed that differences in opinion should not prevent the party from getting good leaders elected into the leadership.

Zainur denied that his decision was influenced by the "leadership crisis" or "factionalism" within Keadilan and maintained that he wanted to concentrate on his legal practise.

Meanwhile, Keadilan Youth today urged all party members to act with maturity during the party elections.

No discrimination

Meanwhile the party's Youth wing called upon everyone (in the party) not to publicly make any unsubstantiated accusations on others as it could bring negative consequences to the party.

In a statement today, the Youth wing also stressed that Keadilan placed utmost importance on inter-racial unity, without any discrimination against any race or group within the party.

On Tuesday, when Youth leader Hamdan announced his decision to resign from his post, he said he was tired of both factionalism in the party and "of the bickering between Malay political parties".

He said he thought Keadilan could address Malay issues but found that despite the "cry for a new political culture, nothing happened", claiming that he felt trapped within the organisation which was becoming very similar to a non-governmental organisation.