The increasingly large crowds flocking to hear DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang's political talks does not indicate that he commands strong support, claimed MCA deputy chairperson Chan Kong Choy today.

He said similar scenarios occurred in the past but Barisan Nasional (BN) always ended up being the victor.

"Based on our previous experience, we cannot say that big crowds at opposition ceramah (political talks) mean strong support for them.

"In Bukit Bendera (Penang) in 1999, Kit Siang lost even though many people came to his ceramah," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Lim, who polled more than 20,000 votes, lost the Bukit Bendera seat to Gerakan's Chia Kwang Chye by a mere 104 votes.

This time around he has shifted his focus to the Kinta Valley in Perak, where he will be taking on BN/MCA incumbent Thong Fah Chong for the Ipoh Timor parliamentary seat.

However, Chan said support has been growing for BN from the Chinese community due to the service provided by the MCA representative in that area.

"In Ipoh Timor and Batu Gajah, where most people think there will be an uphill battle between the MCA (BN) and the DAP, I saw that we got strong support.

"The trend is like in 1995. However, we cannot be complacent, we have to work hard until March 21," he added.

For the Batu Gajah parliamentary seat, Perak MCA chairman Ong Ka Chuan will face DAP incumbent Fong Po Kuan.

Unfair treatment

Meanwhile, Chan also warned Chinese voters not to support PAS or risk facing the same 'unfair treatment' as the Chinese in Kelantan and Terengganu - states controlled by the Muslim-based opposition party.

He said if PAS was given the mandate to govern any other state, it would not benefit the Chinese community.

"However, I believe no Chinese voter will support PAS," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Following the release of its Islamic state blueprint, MCA had embarked on a campaign to warn voters of the peril in supporting PAS.

However, the opposition party has repeatedly stressed that it does treat the Chinese in the two states differently.

Despite numerous attempts, PAS secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa could not be reached for comment.

Modified prayer

In another development, PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik today admitted to have personally drafted the 'doa' (prayers) printed on the party's election banners in Kelantan.

"I modified the prayers according to local issues. Everybody can pray for their own protection, in whatever way.

"For us, we have the right to do so. Umno (members) can do the same if they wish, we are not going to be infuriated," he said, according to a Bernama report.

Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan menteri besar, said this when asked to comment on prayers written on several PAS banners which used words which offended the local Muslim community.

One of the banners called for God to cloud the eyesight of voters, to make them see only PAS' logo - the moon.

The report said this had drawn flak from the public.

Nik Aziz said he modified the prayers, which he based on the Prophet's prayers for God's protection upon his return to Mecca in the 10th year of Hijrah.

"I took part of the Prophet's prayers and I modified it," he added.