Deputy Premier Najib Razak said the BN is not worried of PKR's decision to contest the by-election in Malay-majority and remains united behind MIC which will field the coalition's candidate.

Speaking after an aid-giving ceremony in Pekan, Najib said the BN "upholds the principle of consensus" and believes its Indian candidate "is capable of giving the best service to the constituents in Ijok".

"PKR is keen to contest because the constituency has a Malay majority, so they see this as an opportunity for the party to win compared to the Batu Talam by-election in Pahang earlier this year where they knew they had no chance at all," he said according to a Bernama report.

BN is ready to face any candidate fielded by PKR, Najib added.

BN man to be known Monday

The by-election is called following the death of the Ijok state assemblyperson K Sivalingam.

Nominations have been set for April 19, with polling taking place nine days later.

The Ijok state constituency has about 12,000 voters, with Malay voters making up about 50%, Indians 28% and Chinese 20%.

At another function today, Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said the ruling coalition's choice of candidate from the MIC will be announced on Monday.

Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had already endorsed MIC president S Samy Vellu's selection, he added.