Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leader Tian Chua, who chose not to defend the vice-president's post during the party election last weekend, may have an ace up his sleeve.

He is expected to be appointed information chief or new secretary-general, although he is playing his cards close to his chest.

Asked about his future role in the party, Chua did not rule out the possibility that he would assume either post. He would only respond with "maybe".

He said the newly-elected supreme council will decide on the appointment after its first meeting, expected to be held within a month.

The PKR inaugural congress held over the weekend elected 26 members to its supreme council, comprising the president, deputy president, three vice-presidents and 20 members.

The council will appoint 36 other members, including principal office-bearers like the secretary-general, treasurer, information chief and state chiefs.

'No connection'

Chua dismissed talk that his decision not to defend his post was linked to the controversy-ridden seat negotiations with opposition party DAP for the general election concluded in March.

Several disgruntled party leaders had taken him to task for the role he had played in dividing the seats to be contested by the two parties, in order not to split the opposition vote.

Chua was said to have told party leaders subsequently that he would "assume responsibility" over the unhappiness that arose.

"There is no direct connection because my decision was based on the agenda of the merger. I wouldn't respond if people have that perception (of the claim)," he said.

Prior to the congress, the information chief's post was held by Khalid Jaafar, while the secretary-general's post was held by Mustaffa Kamil Ayub. Both did not contest in the election.

When contacted, newly elected deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali said there has been no discussion over the new appointments as the congress has just ended.

Another senior party leader said "more indications will be known" next week.

On the same note, Mustaffa said he would not lobby for support to keep the post.

"It is the prerogative of the president... I can't say I mind or don't mind about keeping the post," he said when contacted.

Meeting quota

Meanwhile, women's wing former deputy head Irene Fernandez said she withdrew from defending the post at the eleventh hour for two reasons.

"I have served two terms. I want to stand out and play a bigger role in the supreme council and the overall development of the party," she told malaysiakini.

She said another consideration was the party's goal to fill a 30 percent quota for women in the supreme council. She was elected with the fifth-highest number of votes to the council.

Fernandez, who is also a labour rights activist, said she would continue to raise concerns about issues linked to globalisation and labour within the party.

Her withdrawal from the election came as a surprise as she had given no indication of this before the congress. Her post was won uncontested by Zainon Jaafar.

Incumbent Fuziah Salleh retained her post as women's wing chief, while the youth chief's post was retained uncontested by incumbent Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor.

Azmin Ali, R Sivarasa and newcomer Dr Lee Boon Chye were elected from among five candidates to serve as the three vice-presidents.