While supporters waited for the two candidates in the Ketari by-election in Pahang to complete their submissions at the nomination centre in Wisma Sri Bentung this morning, they were treated to an entertainment of sorts in the form of a repartee between Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik, who appeared to be in his element, and DAP leaders.

Lim stole the show from the candidates and the whole town, amusing all with his earthy humour and snide remarks.

Wasting no time, he immediately launched into an attack against DAP, reminding the 2000-strong crowd that he had been 'unjustly' called a liar by DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock for saying that Kerk had conspired with PAS in a secret meeting in Jakarta 12 years ago.

Unfortunately — or maybe not — Kerk was not in the vicinity to pick up the gauntlet thrown. But DAP leaders such as former member of parliament Lim Guan Eng, former Perak leader M Kulasegaran and Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai told Lim not to repeat the "lie".

Instead of losing his cool as he had on a previous occasion, Lim replied: "See my secretary-general (pointing to Chia Kwang Chye) is always behind me. Tell your Kerk to stand behind your president Lim (Kit Siang).

"This is a time for Lims, not Kerks. There is Lim Keng Yaik, Lim Ah Lek and Lim Kit Siang. When my Kerk (Choo Ting) comes out, then your Kerk can come out, too," he said, in his usual colloquial manner.

DAP's Tan shot back by jesting that Lim should not talk too much as Wisma Gerakan is located in Cheras and that the "rocket" (logo at DAP's office nearby) is pointing towards its building.

Lim answered: "Yes, the rocket is pointing at our backside", leaving the crowd in stitches.

"When I had problems with the building I went to see the Cheras MP. And yet, the bugger (Tan) can win the elections," he added, drawing more laughter from the group.

Tan was as quick to retort: "That's because the Gerakan members in Cheras helped campaign for DAP."

But Lim had the final comeback. "Then say thank you- lah . See, you don't even know how to say thank you."

'A clown'

At one juncture, DAP deputy president Karpal Singh, who was within earshot, butted in: "We have a clown here. We have to pay entertainment fees."

In the end, Lim told the DAP leaders: "Go back- lah . Go back. Why are you still here? You already know the results."

Earlier, Lim started the whole exchange when he said people liked the way he talked.

"The DAP may not like it but the people like it. This is my normal, colloquial way of speaking.

"I have been here for 30 years, where was DAP then? I am now here to renew my old haunts and association," he said.

Meanwhile, BN leaders heaped praises on their Gerakan candidate Yum Ah Ha, who is facing a straight fight against DAP's Choong Siew Onn for the state assembly seat of Ketari.

Lim said Yum was committed to the people and his chances of retaining the seat for BN was "very good".

"However, we must not be complacent. Everybody has to work very hard," warned Lim.

"All our machineries are ready and we all know exactly what to do. All BN component parties are up and ready to go," he added.

Penang Chief Minister and Gerakan vice-president Dr Koh Tsu Koon echoed his superior's call but added that Yum was "disciplined and qualified" to be the people's representative.

"He does not only have calibre but is also anxious to serve the people," he added.

Umno vice-president and former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib said Yum is a candidate "very close to the people".

"He is the best candidate for the Ketari people. We hope he is accepted by the rakyat ," he said.

'Very quiet' campaign

Meanwhile, Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob said the campaign this time was "very quiet" unlike those held elsewhere previously, implying the recent Indera Kayangan by-election which was fraught with violence and gangsterism.

He called the opposition hypocritical for pretending to be united when they were not.

"They try to show they are united. For example, I noticed some Keadilan members wearing DAP badges," he told reporters outside the nomination centre.

Puteri Umno head Azalina Othman Said told reporters she had deployed about 500 members to help out in the campaign.

Azalina said the "girls" would be mostly stationed in Malay-dominant areas.

"However, we would be a little bored this time as your partner is not around," she told DAP leader Guan Eng, who was present, referring to Keadilan election workers who were nowhere to be seen.