Although the two rival teams in MCA had vowed to bury the hatchet in view of the forthcoming Indera Kayangan by-election, cracks within the party were evident at Wisma Warisan where nominations took place this morning.

During the four-hour wait, MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik (left), who leads the embattled Team A, did not speak to his rivals, embittered Team B leaders, party deputy president Lim Ah Lek (far right) and vice-president Chua Jui Meng (right).

Before the announcement of the candidates retired Chinese school headmistress Oui Ah Lan of MCA and former school teacher Khoo Yang Chong of Keadilan MCA Youth chief Ong Tee Keat (left) spoke to reporters while other BN leaders stood visibly apart.

Those who stood by Ling at the venue were Deputy Prime Minister and Umno deputy president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Perlis Menteri Besar Shahidan Kassim and Information Minister Khalil Yaakob.

The BN leaders did not venture to break the silence between the two teams. Instead, a Barisan Alternatif leader, who was present with his delegates, went over to speak to Lim and Chua.

The two leaders shook hands readily with Keadilan's campaign director and Hulu Kelang state assembly representative Azmin Ali, while the other BN leaders looked on.

And even after everything was done and the nominations were confirmed, the two factions left in separate directions, with Ling and company heading for the back exit while Lim and his followers went for the front.

DAP man in limelight

Meanwhile, another politician who seemed to have stolen the limelight from the MCA was DAP Nibong Tebal member of parliament Goh Kheng Huat, who defied the party's central executive committee's (CEC) decision and showed up in Kangar.

Goh, who insisted he was there in his personal capacity, followed the procession along with other BA members and waited at the hall for the candidate's announcement.

Reporters bombarded Goh with several questions which he was reluctant to comment beyond saying that he hoped the party's CEC will not take disciplinary action against him.

Ronnie Liu, DAP's publicity secretary, who had planned to join the Save Our School SJK (C) Damansara committee in his personal capacity, pulled out from the delegation at the eleventh hour.

On Dec 31, the DAP decided to withdraw its support for the opposition because it does not want to appear to be backing down its stance on the Islamic state issue.

PAS, who is in the opposition front with Keadilan and PRM, has publicly stated that it wants to set up an Islamic state if it came to power.

DAP, which vehemently opposed the idea, had to pull out of BA on Sept 22 after it failed to resolve the matter with PAS.

The Indera Kayangan seat fell vacant following the death of MCA state assembly representative Khor Liang Tee on Dec 19. The mixed constituency will go to the polls on Jan 19, after a 10-day campaign period starting today.