Abdul Rahman Othman today dared Parti Keadilan Rakyat's adviser Anwar Ibrahim to prove that the former still has contacts with arch-rivals Umno.

Both of them are contesting for the post of party president in party's elections this Saturday. Also in the hat is the incumbent Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Abdul Rahman, a former party treasurer, was upset by remarks made by Anwar yesterday that those questioning his (Anwar's) eligibility to contest in the party elections were "Umno dan Barisan Nasional desperados".

"Don't make hasty allegations...show proof on which Umno leader I have contacts with and how much money that I have received," charged Abdul Rahman, who is also the PKR Muar division chief.

Abdul Rahman had previously filed an official complaint with the party election committee (also known as JKP) over the eligibility of the former deputy premier to contest in the party's elections.

Anwar is still under the five-year ban from active politics following his conviction on charges of corrupt practices. The ban expires next April.

Party constituency

When contacted today, Abdul Rahman said that Anwar has yet to reply to his complaints regarding the matter.

He added that PKR's constitution disallowed Anwar to contest in the national congress.

According to him, Article 7.1.4. of the party constitution stated that anyone who is barred by law from holding posts in any society cannot be elected or nominated for party posts.

"This means that Anwar has not followed the party rules," he said.

Abdul Rahman also said that JKP had replied to him stating that it does not want to take the responsibility in making the decision on Anwar's eligibility.

Abdul Rahman added that Anwar's lawyer has also advised the JKP that Anwar can contest in the upcoming national congress.

"I have been told by the JKP that Anwar's nomination is invalid but that Anwar's lawyer have informed the committee that the party adviser has filed an appeal to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to allow him to contest," he said.

When contacted, the ROS Md Alias Kalil said that he could not give information on whether Anwar has applied for an exemption.

JKP secretary Ahmad Shabrini Mohd Alwi was also unavailable for comment.

Anwar's explanation

When contacted to comment on Abdul Rahman's claims, Anwar - responding through an aide - said that he had adhered to party procedures throughout the nomination process.

"He (Anwar) has been in communication with the party's election committee and has consulted his lawyers, as well as the party supreme council," Anwar's special assistant Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said.

"If the lawyer said there is anything that contravened the rules, then he will abide by the lawyer's advice... At this point of time, he will go ahead with the contest," Nik Nazmi added. ( Original BM version )