updated version As expected, the Indera Kayangan by-election next Saturday will see a straight fight between incumbent Barisan Nasional and Keadilan, with two former teachers, MCA's Oui Ah Lan and Keadilan's Khoo Yang Chong, competing for the seat.

The nominations were officially announced about 1.10pm by the returning officer Rusli Abdul Hamid.

Oui, 58, is the state MCA Wanita chief as well as former special assistant to Perlis Menteri Besar Shahidan Kassim while Khoo, 60, is a commissioner for oaths and chairperson of Perlis Buddhist Association.

There will be nine days of campaigning before polling on Jan 19.

Earlier in the morning, about 10,000 people from both the ruling BN coalition and rival Barisan Alternatif had gathered outside the Wisma Warisan nomination centre in Indera Kayangan, Perlis, waiting for the arrival of the two candidates.

The situation outside the nomination centre, with opposing supporters on separate sides, was loud and noisy.

Opposition supporters even hoisted a giant fish head replica that had realistic touches of giant flies on it, alluding to embattled MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik who has been jeered thus by disgruntled members of his party over the controversial takeover of Nanyang Press.

Though both sides of the divide took every given opportunity to jeer and boo at each other, it was a peaceful gathering, made a little ominous by the heavy Federal Reserve Unit presence on Keadilan's side, while Indian Progressive Front flags dominated the BN's front line.

Party leaders present

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi led the BN crowd together with Perlis Menteri Besar Shahidan Kassim and a host of other component party leaders, including those from Sabah and Sarawak.

Among them were Gerakan vice-president and Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon as well as his MCA counterpart Ling, with MCA deputy president Lim Ah Lek and vice-president Chua Jui Meng.

Opposition leaders included Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (pictured left with Khoo), PAS vice-president Mustafa Ali and members of parliament from their parties.

DAP Nibong Tebal MP Goh Kheng Huat was also present, possibly as an observer since the party has expressly forbidden members from officially joining the opposition campaign in the by-election.

Other independent groups who took the opportunity to bring their causes to the attention of local residents and the election candidates were the Save Our Schools Committee, Committee Against Takeover of Nanyang Press by MCA and Writers Alliance for Media Independence.

Also present were Chinese Malaysian residents from Lunas, in neighbouring Kedah. Lunas itself was the scene of another by-election between incumbent BN and Keadilan, with the latter scoring an upset win largely due to a swing in votes on the part of Chinese Malaysians.

Keadilan protest rejected

Oui arrived at the nomination centre at 10.10am followed by Khoo 15 minutes later to submit their nomination papers.

During the objection period from 11am to 12.30pm, Keadilan representative Malek Hussein submitted that Oui's application should be rejected on the ground that she had not resigned from her government post.

Oui, however, insisted that she had tendered her letter of resignation.

According to another Keadilan representative, Diong Chi Tzuoh, Shahidan then came into the centre and handed in the acceptance letter.

"The elections committee also rejected Malek's protest because he was not a Perlis or Indera Kayangan voter," Diong, who is also the Youth executive committee member, told malaysiakini.

'No dirty campaigning'

Earlier at Wisma MCA in Kangar where BN supporters had gathered before marching to the nomination centre, Shahidan warned the opposition not to use provocative and sensitive issues while campaigning.

Shahidan claimed that the opposition has exploited personal issues in order to fish for votes.

"They stooped so low as to talk about the death of my son. I urged Keadilan's president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to stop her supporters from doing so. She should understand as she is also a mother," said Shahidan.

The state chief then urged all parties to refrain from 'dirty' campaigning tactics.

"If you want to campaign with violence this is not the place. Go to Afghanistan or Palestine," said Shahidan.

Gerakan wanita leader Kee Phaik Cheen appealed to voters to choose BN as the coalition's candidate is a woman.

"BN supports equality between men and women," she told the 5,000-odd BN supporters.

"We want men to take care of women, to treat their wives nicely. We want to share responsibilities with men and we do not support polygamy," she added, taking a swipe at People's Progressive Party's Youth leader T Murugiah who recently proposed that non-Muslim men be allowed to practise polygamy.

'BN is best'

Bernard Dompok, president of the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Organisation, told the crowd that BN was the best choice for the state as it could bring development to the people.

"When Sabah was under the opposition, there was nothing to be proud about. Now that BN is ruling, we have seen better days," said Dompok.

Others present outside Wisma MCA were Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein (far left) who is also youth and sports minister, Umno Wanita deputy chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (centre) who is also women and family development minister, and Puteri Umno head Azalina Othman Said.

The state assembly seat fell vacant following the death of MCA representative Khor Liang Tee last December.