DAP national deputy chairperson Karpal Singh today dismissed as "completely incongruous", a party member of parliament's claim that he was in Indera Kayangan in his personal capacity.

He said Goh Kheng Huat, who was spotted with Keadilan candidate Khoo Yang Chong at the nomination centre yesterday, should be "grateful to the party for allowing him to contest the Nibong Tebal parliamentary seat in the last general elections".

"The seat belongs to DAP, and not to him," Karpal said, adding that this fact alone is sufficient to demonstrate that "[the person] is inseparable from the party".

"Goh's assertion that he will be in the constituency throughout the campaign amounts to open defiance of DAP which caused his victory in the last general election," Karpal said in a faxed statement.

It was reported yesterday that DAP will take action against Goh for openly defying the party directive to refrain from assisting any party during the Indera Kayangan by-election, or to contest in it.

'Clear-cut' breach

When contacted today, DAP disciplinary committee chairperson Chong Eng said a meeting will be called soon.

"We will take action but I cannot say what action. We will study the case first," she said.

Chong, who is also the Bukit Mertajam MP, said Goh's action is a "clear-cut" breach of party discipline.

Goh went to Indera Kayangan despite advice given by party secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock who urged him to abide by the party decision, she revealed.

Goh a protege of former Penang DAP strongman Gooi Hock Seng who is now with Keadilan earlier urged DAP leaders to reconsider the ban if it was sincere in offering Keadilan the option of setting up a coalition without PAS.

He was referring to party chairperson Lim Kit Siang's controversial proposal last month to form a 'secular' opposition front with its former coalition partners Keadilan and PRM.

The by-election in the northern state of Perlis follows the death of incumbent Khor Tiang Lee last month. Khor was also the state MCA chief.

The contesting candidates are retired school headmistress and Perlis Wanita MCA chief Oui Ah Lan (Barisan Nasional) and retired school teacher Khoo Yang Chong (Keadilan).