The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) is conducting a damage-control exercise following the blow its public image and reputation received from the recent Keadilan party election.

Abim president Ahmad Azam said that the extreme politicking during the run-up to the party election has led to character assassinations of Abim members who contested top party posts, who were seen as "greedy for power and cannot get along with non-Muslims in the party".

"Abim is upset and unhappy with the situation. Many people who do not know much about Abim have now become cynical and prejudiced against us," he said in an interview published in Utusan Malaysia today.

Azam was asked to comment on the outcome of the Keadilan party election on Nov 10 in Terengganu which saw the failure of Abim members to win top party posts, including former Abim president Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty for the deputy president post.

The others are Mohd Anuar Tahir (Perlis Keadilan chief) and Ruslan Kasim (Negeri Sembilan Keadilan chief) for vice-presidency, and Mustaffa Kamil Mustaffa Kamil Ayub for Youth deputy chief's post.

Adverse impact

Expressing his worry about the adverse impact on Abim's image and reputation, Azam hoped that the Keadilan leadership would get the matter straightened out.

He said Abim should get the respect it deserves for its contributions during the formative period of the party.

According to Azam, Abim members joined Keadilan in their personal capacity and they do not represent the movement in the party.

As such, he said, the question of Abim instructing its members to take over the leadership of Keadilan did not arise at all, although many of them contested the top party posts.

"Besides Abim members, Keadilan is also comprised of members of Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM), non-governmental organisations (NGO) and former Umno members, who were also contesting in party election," he said.

Azam said Abim would remain an NGO and has no intention of becoming a political party.