Five names have been shortlisted to stand as Keadilan's candidate in the by-election for the Indera Kayangan state seat in Perlis, which must be held within the next two months.

According to party supreme council member Ng Lum Yong, the five include Penang Keadilan deputy chief Cheah Kah Peng and its candidate for Indera Kayangan in the last general elections, Ko Chu Liang.

Ng, however, refused to reveal the names of the other three candidates, saying that the list was 'confidential'.

"The shortlisted candidates need to send their biodata to the party's political bureau," he said, adding that this was in accordance to party procedure.

The 12-member bureau will then interview each of the candidates before submitting their recommendations to the supreme council for endorsement, he said.

The bureau is expected to hold its meeting early next week.

Four Chinese, one Malay

However, a party source told malaysiakini today that on the list are four Chinese and one Malay.

Like Cheah, the two other Chinese, Ong Eu Leong and Law Choo Kiang, shortlisted are also Penang Keadilan members.

Meanwhile, the Malay on the list is former secretary-general Mohd Anuar Tahir, who hails from Perlis.

It is believed that Anuar, who is the former party secretary general, is on the list to accommodate Keadilan's recently marginalised pro-Abim faction.

A by-election needs to be called within 60 days following the demise of Barisan Nasional state assemblyman for Indera Kayangan, Khor Liang Tee, two days ago after a long battle with cancer.

Keadilan was initially reported to be fielding a Malay candidate, a plan which its opponent claims would fail as non-Malay voters are "solidly" behind BN.

However, recent speculations are that Keadilan would field a Chinese candidate.

When contacted, Penang Keadilan chief, Dr Mansor Othman said Keadilan had yet to finalise the names.

He said a clearer picture of the candidate would emerge after a meeting with Perlis Keadilan tomorrow.

"It is likely to be a Chinese candidate," he quipped.

Special assistant

Meanwhile, the BN candidate is expected to be from MCA as the Chinese-based party has traditionally held two state seats in Perlis since the 1960s.

It has been speculated that the likely BN candidate will be MCA central committee member Oui Ah Lan, who is special assistant to Perlis Mentri Besar Shahidan Kassim.

However, observers say the split within the party in recent months could jeopardise the Chinese votes in the upcoming by-election.

With the demise of Khor, who was MCA Perlis chief, the state party is now led by deputy chief Loh Yoon Foo - known to be aligned to the party's Team B which is led by the opponents of president Dr Ling Liong Sik.

Bernama today reported that Ling would submit a list of probable nominees in a few days to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is the BN chairman.

Ling said the party would not allow its internal squabbling to affect its chances of retaining the seat, adding that the Chinese community has no cause for concern over the recent party infighting between two rival factions.

Indera Kayangan comprises 47.9 percent of Chinese voters, 46.4 percent Malays, 5.3 percent Indians, and the 0.4 percent of other races.