More than 200 contenders for Keadilan posts
Keadilan today officially announced the names of more than 200 candidates nominated from some 120 divisions for various positions to be contested in its inaugural party election next week.
With party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail returned unopposed as predicted, all attention will now focus on the deputy president post which has six contenders going for it.
The nominees are incumbent Dr Chandra Muzaffar, supreme council member Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty and treasurer-general Abdul Rahman Othman, Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, and state assembly representatives Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Mohamed Azmin Ali.
The nominations were announced by Keadilan's secretary-general Mohd Anuar Tahir at the party's head office in Petaling Jaya today.
Chandra leads with 47 nominations, followed by Muhammad Nur and Abdul Rahman with 20 nominations each, Ezam with seven, and both Saifuddin and Azmin, two.
Chandra has expressed his intention not to seek re-election but to remain as an ordinary party member, though there is also talk that he may change his mind.
If he decided to stick to his quit decision, the deputy leader post will see a contest between Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty, a past president of the Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement or Abim, against Abdul Rahman.
Meanwhile, 16 names were nominated for the three vice-president posts. Leading the pack with 62 nominations is incumbent Chua Tian Chang (alias Tian Chua) who is currently incarcerated under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Kamunting Detention Centre.
Two other incumbents, Sheikh Azmi and Zainur Zakaria, were also nominated to defend their posts. However, Zainur has stated his intention not to seek re-election.
Ezam leads Youth nomination
As for the youth wing, three names were nominated for the Youth chief post. They are incumbent Ezam, Saifuddin and current deputy chief Mustaffa Kamil Ayub.
Ezam who is currently detained under the ISA for two years, received a staggering 73 nominations, leaving Saifuddin and Mustaffa far behind at eight and seven nominations respectively.
Both Saifuddin and Mustaffa were also nominated for the deputy Youth chief post together with Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin and Adlan Benan Omar. Meanwhile, businessman Low Chee Chong received the highest nominations for the post of Youth vice-chief.
Like the party's deputy president post, the women's wing will also see keen contest for its top post.
Three nominees were named for the post of women chief. There are incumbent Fuziah Salleh who received 52 nominations, Melaka's women chief Zainon Jaafar with 35 and Hafsah Harun, who is the Keadilan Sarawak's state liaison chief, with three.
As for the deputy chief post, social activist Irene Fernandez - who is also the incumbent - will have to battle it out with five other contenders, namely Animah Ferrar, Intan Rohani Tan and Sharifah Zainab Syed Abdul Rani as well as Hafsah and Zainon.
According to the secretary-general, the high number of nominations received indicate that Keadilan practises democracy.
Asked why the position of secretary-general was not contested, Anuar explained that the secretary-general and treasury-general as well as two vice-presidents are appointed by the president.
Keadilan has seven vice-presidents, three of whom are directly elected by the party delegates, two comprising the heads of the youth and women wings and two appointed by the president.
Old Umno ploy
Asked to comment on the talk that the election is a contest between the "Umno faction" and the "Abim faction", Anuar denied it categorically.
"That's what Umno says. It's a lie. It's wrong," he said, claiming that such talk is an old ploy by Umno.
Anuar explained that there had been allegations that efforts were been taken to "Abimise" Umno since the days jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim was the Umno Youth chief.
He said Keadilan accepts many political parties and non-governmental organisations and its diversity is envied by the party's enemies who try to cause disunity within the party with such speculations.
Meanwhile, Jamaah Islah Malaysia (Jim), which is said to be connected to anti-Abim faction in Keadilan, today also issued a statement firmly denying its involvement.
Jim's president, Prof Mohamed Hatta Shaharom said although its members are free to be actively involved in politics, Jim has no direct or indirect involvement in any political manoeuvrings of any political party in the country.
"Jim considers such claims unprofessional, [reflective of] inaccurate journalism and as having the intention to smear the good name of our organisation," Mohamed Hatta said.
Observers said that the non-Abim faction is made up of a loose group comprising Jim, individuals from other NGOs and former Umno members.
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List of candidates for top posts.
President
Dr Wan Azizah Ismail
Deputy President
Dr Chandra Muzaffar
Vice President
Tian Chua
Candidates for Wanita wing
Wanita Chief
Fuziah Salleh
Zainon Jaafar
Hafsah Harun
Deputy Chief
Irene Fernandez
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