Despite being detained in Kamunting under the Internal Security Act, Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua is most likely to accept nomination in the party election due next month, said the deputy secretary-general of Keadilan Youth, Diong Chi Tzuoh.

"Most of the party members believe that although Tian Chua is detained in Kamunting, he is still able to lead the party," he told malaysiakini today.

He said although Chua's detention since April had prevented him from appearing at the party's forefront, it did not bar him from contesting in the election.

Keadilan is scheduled to hold its first party election from Nov 9 to 11. To contest, each candidate requires a nomination from two divisions.

The deadline for Keadilan's division to submit nomination is Oct 27. The party is expected to announce the list of candidates the day after that.

Diong, who is also the chairperson of Keadilan Pontian division, said in addition to Chua, four other candidates from the ethnic Chinese have already been nominated.

They are central committee member Ng Lum Yong, social relations bureau chief Lee Boon Cher, Youth vice-chief Low Chee Chong and Penang deputy chief Cheah Kah Peng.

Diong said he strongly believed all of them would receive tremendous support from the delegates because of their sound performance over the past two years.

'Cosmetic' candidates

Diong refuted that Chinese candidates are merely "cosmetic" in the Malay-dominated Keadilan, saying that they have close co-operation with leaders at all levels.

"They have no problem in getting the support of the grassroots, and they have never been the 'cosmetic' aspect of the party," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Keadilan secretary-general Mohd Anuar Tahir claimed that the mainstream media, led by ruling party Barisan Nasional, have actively tarnished the image and divided the unity of Keadilan in the run-up to the party election.

He slammed the media for reporting that party members who also belong to the Malaysian Islamic Youth Organisation or Abim, have allegedly tried to expel former Umno leaders from the party leadership.

He added that in the past, similar propaganda have been used to topple former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim when he was on the rise in Umno, by accusing him of bringing Abim's influence into Umno.

"Now, the same weapon is being used by the political conspirators in Keadilan," he added.

He urged party members to reject the conspiracy and not to allow themselves to be used by any quarters directly or indirectly.

"Spreading hatred among the lovers of justice in the party is a betrayal that cannot be forgiven," he said.