Keadilan Youth, stunned by yesterday' sacking of secretary Lokman Nor Adam, may now have to face the possibility of several leaders defecting to arch-rivals Umno as the general election looms.

Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor claimed today that serious efforts are underway to "lure" certain leaders away from the opposition ranks, and said he did not discount the possibility that they would announce their defection soon.

"I would not be surprised if such announcements are made, even by some in the Youth exco. They (Umno) want to cripple the Youth wing because it is Keadilan's the most effective organ due to its aggressiveness," he said in an interview in his home in Shah Alam.

"I have also received reports about members who are contemplating leaving the party and have negotiated or are negotiating terms which include appointments to political posts and financial benefits. But I am confident that only a small group is involved."

He said this in relation to yesterday's dramatic sacking of Lokman, who had only been appointed to the post in last October, following release from two years of detention without trial.

Ezam said Lokman's dismissal was because of his "involvement in activities detrimental to the party", including complaints that Lokman intended to join Umno and was persuading others to do so as well. However, the latter has denied the allegation.

The Youth chief conceded that he had initially accepted Lokman's intention to resign from the post, but that he had to take more drastic action subsequently upon hearing the complaints.

Identity known

Ezam claimed that attempts by Umno to attract Keadilan members - many of whom were formerly from the Barisan Nasional component party - were not new.

"But these have been intensified under the leadership of Umno new president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who wants to bring Keadilan into the Umno fold," he said.

"He (Abdullah) is desperate to see this happen, so that he can claim credit for reuniting the Malays. That is why Umno is targeting our leaders...I know because I was among the first to received an offer by people claiming to represent Umno leaders."

"I was offered millions (of ringgit), a senior political post and a safe parliamentary seat. They tried to lure me even while I was in jail and in Kamunting (detention camp). I am probably not the only senior leader who has received such an offer."

He said the matter had been discussed with the Keadilan leadership but said there was little the party could do to stop Umno from making these offers.

"Such offers are normal especially when the general election is due. The same thing has happened to other strong opposition parties like PAS. There is nothing we can do but think of ways to manage and minimise the damage caused by defections," he said.

Ezam confirmed that he has identified those Youth leaders who allegedly plan to defect to Umno.

"Basically I know who these people are based on the fact that they have suddenly refused to show commitment to party meetings and activities. Another signal is that they are avoiding me and my calls. So I know who they are," he said.

"These are former Umno members who have yet to be weaned off the Umno tradition of keeping up a lavish lifestyle. They are easy targets because most face financial and personal problems.

"So, defection - in their cases - has nothing to do with the party ideology or leaders, but is rather a way out for them to settle these problems"

Report to supreme council

Ezam said he has yet to act against those concerned because he has no strong evidence to back his suspicions, "unlike in the case of Lokman".

"Many people have complained to me that Lokman had openly said he would be leaving the party to join Umno. Others said Lokman had invited them to follow him," Ezam alleged, explaining the circumstances surrounding the dismissal.

"I tried contacting Lokman, but he did not take my calls and refused to meet me. I sent a Youth leader to talk to him, but he tried to influence my representative to join him as well."

He said the last straw was when PAS Youth chief Sallehudin Ayub told him that Lokman had openly admitted to quitting the secretary's post to join Umno.

"So what else can I do? I had to act before the situation got out of hand and became detrimental to the party. Indeed it (the sacking) was drastic..it is a blow to me that my right- hand man has done this to me... but it had to be done," Ezam said.

Ezam also admitted that he had not consulted the top leadership before making the decision, but said he was ready to face the consequences in the event the supreme council - which will hear his report tomorrow afternoon - disagrees with him.

"My conscience is clear. I am prepared to present my evidence,, as I have witnesses who are willing to testify in support of the sacking."

Ezam said he believed that "financial and personal problems were behind Lokman's decision", saying he had not expected someone who had been detained for two years under the Internal Security Act could defect so easily.

"He was targeted (by Umno) because he was the closest to me. Since they couldn't tempt me, they went to him instead...but I thought he would be stronger than this."

He also responded to Lokman's allegation in newspaper reports today that he (Ezam) "had lived lavishly while other Youth members were suffering financially".

"This is new to me. Those who know me will know that I don't have a single cent in savings. I had to sell my house in Kelana Jaya to settle my housing loan and the excess was used to build this house (in Shah Alam) which I share with my parents, as the land belongs to my father," Ezam said.

"I am living on monthly donations from businessmen and corporate leaders who are sympathetic to our struggle. I have shared these contributions with my men, including Lokman who has been receiving RM2,000 monthly."