Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today warned against a political culture that could tear the party apart, saying that its struggle was too "pure" to be destroyed by such elements.

However, Wan Azizah said, the results of this year's annual general assembly revealed that the party was not heading for a split as depicted by several government-controlled media.

Speaking at the closing of the party's AGM in Kemaman, Terengganu, she said the party has come out stronger and more efficient as its elections were carried out through a process that was suitable for members.

"Do not allow our party to have a political culture that would destroy us. Instead, we must have the strength and determination to fight all kinds of factionalism and money politics," she stressed.

Nonetheless, she added, "Factionalism can be a good thing. It is a source of strength for us and should not be seen as a weakness."

There have been reports that the party was plagued with a leadership crisis due to internal factionalism.

Party members were reportedly split between groups led by ex-Umno members and pro-Islamic groups led by the Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement, or Abim.

Intense campaigning by Abim to get its members elected to the top leadership positions led certain quarters to claim that they were out to 'Abimise' Keadilan and marginalise non-Muslims within the party.

Wan Azizah, who retained her position uncontested, commended the reformasi supporters who were always at the frontline during street demonstrations and who had "sacrificed" much.

She said the party needed not only leaders but reformasi activists and strategists to lead Keadilan into the future.

The wife of jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim also advised members to be aware of the sensitivities of minority groups within the party.

Reorganising the party

Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman Othman, who replaced Dr Chandra Muzaffar as deputy president, said his first task wound be to reorganise the party and improve its administration.

Abdul Rahman said he would also look into the party's membership drive and improve the list by February next year.

He also told delegates that the party had purchased a RM540,000 building in Shah Alam which can seat 250 people, to be used as a conference centre.

Azmin Ali, who is the new party vice-president, reiterated Wan Azizah's remark that there were "no winners or losers" in this election, except for the party, which wins, with the loser being Umno and Barisan Nasional, which desires to see the end of Keadilan.

"All factions have a place in this party. This party does not belong to an individual but to people of all races," he added.

Azmin said he was prepared to be reproached or corrected directly if he was wrong, but urged party members not to criticise him through ' surat layang' (poison pen letters).

Keadilan was formed in 1999 following the sacking and subsequent jailing of Anwar.