As the Indera Kayangan by-election draws closer, leaders from the ruling coalition today beefed up their campaign with a series of walkabouts led by Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to garner support from people in the streets.

Abdullah, together with MCA candidate Oui Ah Lan, was accompanied by an entourage of some 50 Barisan Nasional and MCA personnel.

Others included Perlis Menteri Besar Shahidan Kassim, Umno vice-president Muhammad Muhammad Taib, and Umno secretary-general Khalil Yaakob.

The walkabout kicked off in the morning at shop houses located along Jalan Kangar, the main road of the town.

As BN leaders stopped at all sorts of shops - tailoring, jewellery, restaurant, mini-market and traditional medicine - owners would come out and shake hands with the leaders. Some pledged full support for Oui and wished her good luck.

Keadilan, and its ally in the opposition front PRM, became the focus of attention when the BN leaders called on their campaign operations centres.

Leader from both the contesting parties shook hands and chatted for a few minutes.

MCA leaders also had their rare moment of unity. Team A led by party president Dr Ling Liong Sik and Team B led by his deputy Lim Ah Lek were present and rallying for Oui in the presence of Abdullah.

This was the first time since the nomination day on Jan 10 where leaders of both the feuding factions were seen campaigning together.

Early this month, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had met Lim and Ling separately to advise them to set aside their differences and unite to ensure a BN victory in the Indera Kayangan by-election on Saturday.

Separate ways

Also present this morning were loyalists of both MCA factions, among them were Team A's vice-president Dr Fong Chan Onn and central committee members Chor Chee Heung and Hon Choon Kim. Team B was represented by vice-president Chua Jui Meng and Youth chief Ong Tee Keat.

Sources said the MCA operations centre controlled by Team A seldom informed Team B about the programme of the day, leading to both factions going separate ways for campaigning. Team B was always seen campaigning without the candidate.

Today's walkabout lasted for an hour. The leaders then left for lunch. BN will continue with two more walkabouts in several villages nearby later this afternoon.

It is learnt that MIC president S Samy Vellu had visited a predominantly Indian housing area this morning and will meet various community groups in Kangar tonight.

MCA's Oui and Keadilan's Khoo Yang Chong are the candidates for the state seat by-election which is being held following the death of incumbent Khor Liang Tee last month.