Islamic opposition party PAS has taken center-stage in the Machap by-election on the eve of polling day despite its absence from the contest.

Barisan Nasional campaigners are distributing leaflets and video compact discs (VCDs) alleging that voting for DAP in tomorrow's Machap by-election is the same as supporting PAS.

Among others, the VCD titled 'Top secret - DAP files exposed' contains a footage which shows Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) media coordinator Ginie Lim telling a ceramah in Machap last week that "supporting DAP is supporting the opposition, supporting the opposition is supporting PKR and PAS."

The VCD alleged that although DAP had left the Barisan Alternatif coalition in 2001, it however continues to work secretly with former partners, PAS and PKR.

DAP had left the opposition front after crossing swords with PAS leaders over the Islamic party's aim to set up a theocratic state.

Meanwhile, the leaflets featured several news clippings in Chinese regarding the controversial policies imposed by the PAS-led government in Kelantan such as the dress code and Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's statement that female civil servants should not use lipstick.

It is believed that more than 1,000 copies of the VCD have been distributed in the predominantly Chinese constituency.

PAS flags

Apart from the VCDs and leaflets, DAP election strategist Liew Chin Tong told malaysiakini that BN is expected to play up the Islamic state issue further as part of an electoral scare tactic.

"I received information that after midnight, our opponents will put up PAS party flags and an old banner showing (DAP supremo) Lim Kit Siang hugging (PAS president) Abdul Hadi Awang," he said.

According to Election Commission enforcement team member Yew Han Hwey, they have taken down more than 50 PAS flags put up in the polling districts of Tebong and Machap Baru since yesterday (right).

DAP's Liew said he checked with PAS and was told that the party did not put up any flags.

MCA vice-president Dr Fong Chan Onn said the VCD was being circulated to 'expose' the alleged secret pact between DAP and PAS.

"The PKR lady in the VCD explicitly said voting for DAP is supporting PAS. This clearly shows DAP is still working hand in hand with PAS," he said when met at MCA's Machap Baru operations room.

He said BN was not trying to play up the voters' sentiment but was duty-bound to expose the truth.

"We have to let the people in Machap know that voting for DAP will help realise PAS' plan to turn Malaysia into a theocratic state," said Fong, who is also human resources minister.

However, he refused to comment on DAP's claim that BN had allegedly put up the PAS flags.

"I don't know, I don't know - that is just speculation," he said when quizzed on it.

BN's Lai Meng Chong is facing DAP's Liou Chen Kuang in a straight fight for the seat which fell vacant following the death of incumbent Poh Ah Tiam, 55 on March 15.