Human rights activist Elizabeth Wong will be contesting for the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) women's deputy chief post.

Wong will be taking on grassroots party worker Rodziah Ismail, who has been endorsed by current women's chief Fuziah Salleh.

Out of the total eight candidates nominated, only Wong and Rodziah, who is currently vice-chief, will contest in the polls slated for May 25.

Fuziah, on the other hand, will be contesting for vice-presidency. She received 42 nominations - the third highest.

The women's chief post will be assumed by her deputy Zuraida Kamaruddin. There are no contenders for the top post.

"I hope to be able to enhance the representation of women in the current line up. Hopefully to bring a younger voice to the wing," said Wong ( photo ), 36, when contacted today.

Wong, who is also the parliamentary aide to PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said she had expected more candidates to compete.

Wong was the former secretary-general of rights group Hakam. She is also a member of another prominent rights group Suaram.

Best performers

Her contender Rodziah said she will ensure that more women will join PKR if she is elected.

"We will try our best to mobilize more women. I think after this (party elections) we would concentrate on Pahang and other targeted states," she told malaysiakini.

Rodziah, 43, runs a pre-school nursery and has been a PKR member since 2000. She is also the women's wing chief for the Temerloh division.

Meanwhile, Fuziah described Rodziah and her successor Zuraida as close associates. "They have always been my right and left hands. These are the two that performed the best."

She said the allocation of posts were already discussed. "In fact the position of the chief and deputy chief were decided based on consensus.

"They (the duo) worked cohesively as a team. Those who got the least nominations for women's chief (for example) withdrew (from contesting)," she said.

Rodziah was also among the six nominated to contest for the top post in the women's wings. They all withdrew to pave the way for Zuraida to take over.

Asked what she thought about Wong winning the number two post, Fuziah said: "She will bring something different, something new, I'm sure. I think it would be good.

"She has contributed to PKR in her way," she added.