Despite disagreeing with Umno’s move to fast track the Hudud Bill motion in Parliament, Gerakan will still campaign for BN in the twin by-elections.

"Yes, we are going to take part in the campaign for Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar.

"This is good as it gives us a chance to explain a number of issues in the campaign," said Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong when met at the nomination centre at Kuala Kangsar.

Mah had earlier declared he would resign from his ministerial post if amendments to the Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act, sought by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in his Private Member’s Bill, is passed in the Dean Rakyat.

The by-election today saw the absence of BN candidate Matura Mohd Hasid, the widow of the late incumbent MP Wan Mohammad Khair-il Wan Ahmad.

Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein led the BN team to the nomination centre.

Also present were MCA secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan and MIC president Dr S Subramaniam.

Meanwhile, Mah also acknowledged that BN, particularly Umno members, disagreed with the party's decision to field Mastura.

However he felt the dissenters would close ranks soon after the nominations.

MCA mum on Chinese support

Meanwhile when asked later, Ong said as a member of the BN coalition, MCA is obligated to support the ruling coalition’s candidate.

However, he declined to comment when asked if MCA will campaign for BN's candidates in the two by-elections.

"We will talk about this at another event," he said, adding they do not want to distract attention with the issue of Hadi's bill.

Ong also evaded a question about Chinese support for the BN candidates, saying he will comment on this at another time.