The National Union of Teaching Profession today clarified that it was not setting up a campaign unit to support the Barisan Nasional candidate in the upcoming Indera Kayangan by-election.

NUTP secretary-general N Siva Subramaniam said that the union is merely providing "moral support" to Oui Ah Lan who is contesting the state constituency in Perlis.

He stressed that the union will not provide funds to the BN campaign or send its members to campaign for Oui.

"We are supporting her morally as she was a member of our union," said Siva of Oui, a former headmistress who is the Perlis state MCA Wanita chief.

Siva said the union had supported several other candidates in past elections, including a member of the opposition party, and therefore, the decision of the NUTP to support Oui is not party-related.

"If a member of our union campaigns as a opposition party member, we will also extend our support," added Siva.

Siva was quoted by the Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau today as saying that the NUTP will campaign for Oui in Indera Kayangan as the latter was once a school principal.

Union principle

"According to our principle, if there is any member of the NUTP contesting in elections, we will campaign for him or her," he said.

The by-election in the state capital of Kangar is set for Jan 19, after a nine-day campaign period beginning on Thursday which is nomination day.

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

The by-election was called following the death of incumbent Khor Tiang Lee on Dec 19. Khor was the Perlis MCA chief.

Oui is expected to face an opponent from Keadilan, whose candidate will be decided by the party's supreme council tonight.