updated version The Indera Kayangan state by-election will be held on Jan 19, nine days after nomination day on Jan 10, the Election Commission (EC) announced today.

EC chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman also announced that the latest electoral roll gazetted last Dec 27 will be used for the elections.

He added that 7,976 voters, including 752 postal voters, were eligible to vote.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Barisan Nasional state assembly representative Khor Liang Tee on Dec 19.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has yet to announce the ruling coalition's candidate but it is certain that the person will be from Chinese-based party MCA, of which Khor was.

The party has send a list of four names to Mahathir and it included Perlis Wanita chief Oui Ah Lan and Kuala Perlis branch chief Steven Lee Yin Choon.

On the other hand, Barisan Alternatif has agreed to field a Chinese candidate from Keadilan to lead the opposition charge.

PAS vice-president, Mustapha Ali, said today the decision was made at a BA council meeting last night.

All BA coalition parties will immediately activate their campaign machineries to ensure the success of the Keadilan candidate, he added in a press statement.

Among the opposition candidates short-listed are local leader and former MCA member Dr Por Choo Chor, Keadilan Penang deputy chief Cheah Kah Peng and Ko Chu Liang, who contested in the last general election and lost by 1,974 votes.

DAP's role

Meanwhile, asked if ex-coalition partner DAP's help was needed in the campaign, a Keadilan spokesperson said that BA's election machinery is sufficient to handle the by-election.

DAP withdrew from the opposition coalition last September citing irreconcilable differences with PAS over the latter's Islamic state ambition.

However, the spokesperson said the by-election would be the best time for DAP to get the attention of the Chinese community concerning the suspension of the party's member of parliament Fong Po Kuan.

Last month, Fong was suspended without salary for issuing a press statement accusing House speaker Mohamed Zahir Ismail of "abusing his powers".