DAPs candidate for the Ketari by-election today challenged Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob to give a definitive answer to the long-standing land title issue involving farmers in the area.

Just tell the people if it is a yes or a no, said Choong Siew Onn.

Choong told malaysiakini that applications for land titles by farmers in the Bukit Tinggi area has dragged on for more than 40 years.

The farmers are allowed to occupy the land by virtue of Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL), which are renewable annually.

The 34-year-old DAP leader claimed the state government always said the titles would be given but this was never done.

Attributing this to political incompetence, he warned that unless the land titles are granted, Barisan Nasional may not succeed in the election.

Choong, who will be contesting the Ketari state seat for the third time, lost by a narrow margin to Gerakans Loke Koon Kam in the 1999 elections. The Ketari seat fell vacant following Lokes death on Sunday.

Apart from the land issue, Choong said he would also raise the issues of inadequate public facilities and village development.

NGO observers

In view of past allegations from the opposition that BN plays dirty in elections, Choong asked non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to act as observers for the Ketari by-election to ensure it is conducted justly and fairly.

Asked to comment on the marginal loss during the 1999 general elections where Choong lost by a mere 231 votes, he said it was probably because DAP was not internally organised.

But we have been preparing for this [upcoming elections] since 1999, and we are ready to contest this seat.

To a question on whether DAP will be banking on Malay support, Choong replied that voters look at the candidate and not just the party.

They are looking for character. They want someone who can really help. Its not just about party politics.

They dont want a candidate who only shows his face during election time and disappears after that, he said.

Asked in what manner he had continued contributing to the community despite losing the last election, Choong said he kept working like an assemblyman. The only difference was that he had to go through the MP in order to raise a matter.

As to his chances of finally clinching the seat, Choong said win or lose, he would try his best.

Whoever wins, the main thing is the benefit of the people and not just the aim of winning the seat, stressed the DAP candidate.

Propoganda mouthpieces

In a related development, DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang today called on television stations to revert to their proper role as honest news channels and not propaganda mouthpieces.

The veteran politician also urged them not to unfairly manipulate and influence the outcome of the Ketari by-election.

Even before the Election Commission has met to decide on the date for the Ketari by-election, the BN government has started on a dirty and dishonest campaign to mislead the voters, he said.

Lim claimed RTM2 had broadcasted a news item last night, which distorted what he said during a dinner in Kelantan on Sunday.

According to him, the report conveyed the message that DAP would cooperate with PAS on all matters.

However, Lim claimed he had merely expressed his opinion that although DAP and PAS had gone separate ways, they could still cooperate on issues of common concern to Malaysians.

DAP and PAS, once allies in the opposition front Barisan Alternatif, crossed swords over PAS ambition to set up an Islamic state should it come into power. This led to DAPs exit from the front last year.

Meanwhile, Lim also urged RTM to stop its Berita Perdana from being the "Propaganda Perdana" of the BN government.