DAP deputy chairperson Karpal Singh today called on all voters irrespective of their race in Indera Kayangan to vote for Keadilan candidate Khoo Yang Chong in the by-election tomorrow.

He said DAP is in full support of Khoo whom he said was facing Barisan Nasional's election machinery which would "resort to tricks and machinations to win".

"Voters should also not be taken in by the artificial and insincere cooperation of the rival MCA factions," he said in a press statement.

Karpal's call comes as no surprise though the DAP has repeatedly affirmed its stand not to campaign for the opposition in the by-election.

DAP pulled out of the Opposition Front (Barisan Alternatif) last year and had opted not to campaign in support of Keadilan. The party has also deterred its members and leaders from actively campaigning for the opposition.

DAP's breakaway from BA stemmed from its disagreement with PAS, another component party, over the Islamic state issue. DAP has also been taunted by politicians from both BA and BN of its 'secret desire' to join BN based on their common stand on the Islamic state issue.

No reversal of decision

When contacted, DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock said that Karpal's statement was not a contradiction of the party's earlier decision to stay out of this campaign.

"Normally, if there is a campaign between BN and the opposition, it is logical for DAP members to root for the opposition," said Kerk, adding that the statement should be taken in the "spirit of rapport" among opposition parties.

Kerk also dispelled rumours that party chairperson Lim Kit Siang might do a 'Lunas'. Lim made a last-minute appearance to root for the Keadilan candidate in the Lunas by-election in 1999. Keadilan won by a narrow majority.

Kerk said that all DAP members would uphold the decision taken during the party's central executive committee meeting on Dec 30 not to assist in opposition campaigning for the Indera Kayangan by-election.

"The key difference in the Lunas situation was that there was a reversal by the CEC of the initial decision not to campaign," said Kerk.

However, no CEC meeting has been scheduled to review the decision this time around and Lim has gone to Sarawak, he said. Lim left for Sarawak this afternoon to gather 'solidarity' support for suspended Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan.

Kerk said that DAP had also not received any official request from Keadilan to help in the campaign.

Lying banners

In another development, DAP dismissed banners proclaiming the party's support for the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition as another of BN's dirty tricks.

Party publicity secretary Ronnie Liu said that the banners were the work of "certain irresponsible culprits".

He said that the banners, carrying the words "DAP supports Barisan Nasional", have been placed to confuse the voters.

"The banners are a blatant falsehood as DAP has never pledged its allegiance to BN nor given its support to it," he said.

"Whoever is responsible for this dishonest act is certainly resorting to dirty tactics to try and paint the DAP in a bad light."

Liu urged the authorities to carry out an immediate investigation into the matter.

The Indera Kayangan by-election is a straight fight between BN's MCA candidate Oui Ah Lan and Keadilan's Khoo Yang Chong.