Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik retained his party position uncontested when nominations for the party's central committee closed at 12 noon today.

Lim who has been Gerakan president since 1980 retained the post for the eighth term. Gerakan deputy president Kerk Choo Ting is being challenged by Perak vice-chairperson Siew Kok Kan, who is also the Sapetang state assemblyman.

Penang Chief Ministeri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Dr S.Vijayaratnam maintained their vice-presidents' posts without contest, together with Dr Tan Kee Kwong who was previously appointed to the post.

Party secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye said: "Koh and Vijayaratnam are the incumbents, and the new face, Tan was nominated for the first time for the post of elected vice-president."

Previously, the three elected vice-presidents were Koh, Vijayaratnam and Dr Goh Cheng Teck, and three others appointed veeps were Tan, Teng Chang Yeow and Kee Phaik Cheen.

Chia announced the results at the party headquarters in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur after the nomination for the party central committee 2002/2005 closed. Goh, however resigned from the post at the end of 1999 and the party was left with only two elected vice-presidents.

Open to democratic process

Touching on the contest for the deputy president's post, Chia said the party was always open to the democratic process that allowed its members to express their views.

"However, efforts will be made to get them reach some consensus to avoid a contest," he said.

"But if it does not materialise, then efforts will be made to ensure a friendly contest for the post. The central leadership's expressed wish is a consensus must be reached regarding any post," he said.

Kerk, who is the International Trade and Industry deputy minister, was proposed by Lim and seconded by Koh. While Siew, who is also a party central committee member was proposed by Lu Leong Kan, and seconded by Tan Chai Kie.

Siew said: "I received the signal from the grassroots to contest for the deputy president's post."

Speaking to reporters after submitting his nomination papers, Siew however declined to comment further on the actual reason he was contesting against Kerk. Except to say: "It has got to do with the party succession issue". Kerk, however was not available for comment since he is currently abroad.

28 vie for 18 positions

Meanwhile 28 contestants had submitted their nomination papers to contest for the 18 posts in the central committee. Out of the 28 contestants, nine are new faces. The new faces are Yong Dai Ying, Lee Kah Choon, Yap Kea Ping, Tan Ah Been, Chan Meng Kee, Husain Bin Bahaudin, Dr Ng Keong Chye, Yum Ah Ha, Lim Sim Hock.

The incumbents are party secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye, Datuk Ng Chiang Chin, Chang Ko Youn, Lum Weng Keong, Dr Toh Kin Woon, Khoo Soo Chai, Chua Peng Song, Chua Chong An, Dr Teng Hock Nan, Khoo Chee Wat, Jimmy Chok Kon Phin, Lim Keng Guan, Fong Chok Gin, Teo Kok Chee, Woo Siak Chee, Lim Hoi Kuan, Ng Lip Yong, Dr Chee See Choke and Lim Thuang Seng. Bernama