DAP welcomed Keadilan's decision today not to contest in the impending Ketari state by-election in Pahang, thereby clearing the field for it to take on incumbent party, Barisan Nasional, one on one.

In an immediate reaction, DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock told malaysiakini the decision will "go down well with opposition supporters" despite fundamental differences between DAP and Keadilan's ally in the Barisan Alternatif, PAS, over the Islamic state issue.

"We still need to emphasise the overall or larger opposition agenda which is to avoid overlapping of candidacy in by-elections or the coming general elections," he said.

Kerk confirmed he had spoken to Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PAS president Fadzil Noor in Parliament on the possibility of assisting DAP in the by-election, the date of which is yet to be announced by the Election Commission.

However, Wan Azizah and Fadzil have yet to give their commitment as they are waiting for a joint decision by BA leaders at a meeting on Wednesday, he said.

"We are facing a new scenario here, which is the BA without DAP, but we all realise there is a common understanding and belief between all opposition parties," he added.

Kerk also welcomed non-governmental organisations and concerned citizen groups who need a platform to air their issues or grievances, to use the by-election as one.

As for PAS' position that it will wait for DAP's official request for help first before deciding on whether it will support DAP's candidacy, Kerk said he has spoken about the matter to party leaders.

However, he declined to divulge the contents of "such technical matters to the press" to avoid problems that may arise later.

Several PAS leaders had said DAP had to make the first move so that it would not blame the Muslim party should it lose in the by-election.

In a press statement earlier today, Wan Azizah said Keadilan will not be contesting the seat and the decision was made after a considering a report from the party's Pahang information bereau.

"However, we have decided to keep our options open where helping DAP in the campaign is concerned. The decision will be made by the BA soon," she added.

Gerakan's candidate

Meanwhile, Gerakan has yet to announce its candidate but has narrowed down the choice to Ketari branch chairperson, lawyer Yum Ah Ha, 51; deputy chairperson of Perting branch, dentist Dr Ng Kong Chai, 42; branch chairperson of Bandar Karak, commissioner of oaths Leong Yen Kong, 60, and Sungai Dua branch chairperson, logging operator Leong Ah Khuan, 46.

The candidate will only be announced on Wednesday after approval from Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob and BN chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Ketari seat fell vacant following the death of its representative, Loke Koon Kam of Gerakan. The BN candidate won with a 231-vote majority in the 1999 general elections, beating Choong Siew Onn of DAP.

The updated electoral roll now has Malay Malaysian voters totalling 6,759 (38.94 percent); Chinese Malaysians numbering 9,372 (54.1); Indian Malaysians, 907 (5.23); and other Malaysians, 319 (1.84).