The nine-day Indera Kayangan by-election campaign has just kicked off but the opposition is complaining of "violent tactics" allegedly carried out by members of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

Keadilan claimed that two cars belonging to opposition members were vandalised last night, and several banners and posters were destroyed.

When contacted, the party youth executive member S Manikavasagam confirmed that the cars belonged to supreme council member Dr Xavier Jeyakumar and Shah Alam Youth executive committee member Johari Kassim.

Manivasagam said the back portion of Xavier's car was damaged, while Johari's side mirrors were ripped off.

"This is only the second day and they are already showing their true colours," said Manikavasagam, adding that a police report had been lodged this morning at the Kangar police station.

Another Keadilan Youth exco Diong Chi Tzuoh said at least seven banners were damaged by vandals.

Straight fight

The Indera Kayangan by-election will be held on Jan 19 with Keadilan's Khoo Yang Chong contesting against MCA's Oui Ah Lan.

The seat fell vacant following the demise of incumbent Khor Tiang Lee last month.

Meanwhile, Keadilan today launched a personal attack on Umno Youth deputy chief, Abdul Aziz Sheik Kadir, in an attempt to garner Chinese Malaysian votes.

At a press conference, campaign director Azmin Ali said the party wished to remind the people of Indera Kayangan of Aziz's reputation through a poster campaign.

Azmin said Keadilan was upset with Aziz's and Umno Youth members' attitude after the 1999 general elections.

"They are not only violent but their actions threaten national security," said Azmin, who is a Keadilan vice-president.

During the height of the Suqiu affair, Aziz had mobilised about 300 Umno members to protest outside the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Aziz reportedly threatened to raze the assembly hall building to the ground if the Suqiu committee failed to withdraw its "offensive" appeals.

Controversial appeals

Suqiu, a Chinese Malaysian lobby group comprising some 2,000 organisations, had drafted a 17-point appeal for the 1999 general elections.

The appeal touched on issues of human rights, social justice, freedom of speech and assembly. The issues was meant to be addressed by both BN and Barisan Alternatif members of parliament.

However, certain quarters felt that the appeals questioned Malay special rights and the racial quota system.

In his 2000 Merdeka Day speech, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed likened Suqiu members as "communists".

The committee subsequently withdrew seven points which allegedly questioned Malay special rights following several meetings with BN leaders.