The upcoming Indera Kayangan by-election in Perlis will gauge the Chinese community's support for Barisan Alternatif following DAP's exit and will also be an acid test for Barisan Nasional.

The Keadilan candidate's performance in the Jan 19 by-election will indicate the support of the community for BA following the departure of DAP last September, PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali said today.

DAP recently said it will not help BA campaign in Indera Kayangan as the party did not want to be seen supporting the Islamic state concept as propagated by PAS.

The party withdrew from the BA coalition after failing to reach an accord with PAS over the Islamic state issue. Despite its decision to distance itself, several DAP members have indicated their desire to join the campaign in their 'personal capacity'.

Syed Husin said a victory for BA - despite government propaganda that the opposition is linked to 'militant' fundamentalist groups - will also reveal the level of the people's support for BN.

"We hope the BA candidate will win but we will also consider it a victory if the majority vote of BN can be reduced," he said in a press statement.

Coordinate closely

According to the veteran politician, PRM leaders will coordinate closely with Keadilan to campaign in the pre-dominantly Chinese and Malay areas. "But we will not neglect the Indian and Thai voters there," he added.

Syed Husin also said that PRM has set-up a special committee and an operations center in Indera Kayangan.

The party has urged all veteran members, including those from the former Socialist Front and ex-Internal Security Act detainees from Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Kelantan, to join the campaign.

"We make this call because issues like justice, democracy, human rights, corruption, cronyism and local issues will be raised throughout the campaign," said Syed Husin.

He said support from former activists was effective as was proved during the Nov 2000 Lunas by-election campaign in Kedah where Keadilan emerged victorious in the traditional BN stronghold.

BN picks headmistress

The Indera Kayangan by-election is being held following the death of incumbent Khor Tiang Lee - who was Perlis MCA chief - on Dec 19. Nomination day is on Jan 10.

Yesterday, BN announced that retired Chinese school headmistress Oui Ah Lan @ Ng Ah Lan, 58, will contest for the seat. Oui is the Perlis MCA Wanita chairperson. BA is expected to announce the Keadilan candidate tomorrow.

Among those 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 the seat in the last general election and lost by 1,974 votes.

Indera Kayangan, a state seat in the Perlis capital of Kangar, has 7,976 voters, including 752 postal voters.

Chinese and Malay voters comprise 47.9 percent and 46.4 percent respectively with Indians forming 5.3 percent and other races, 0.4 percent.