In an attempt to lure Chinese Malaysians support in tomorrow's Indera Kayangan by-election perhaps even the party election due by June MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik dished out goodies concerning Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar).

Among the promises: modifying the old office of the party's The Star daily to house Utar, no quota system, classes starting in June, cheaper fees, and admission granted to Chinese independent school graduates.

During a campaign dinner held at a temple last night, Ling also told some 1,200 people that he was looking forward to setting up a branch campus of the party-run Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TAR) in Sabah by May.

This was met with rounds of applause from those who attended the dinner part of MCA's daily evening programme since campaigning for the hotly contested by-election kicked off last Thursday.

"There was only one TAR college 10 years ago but now we have four branch campuses in Perak, Penang, Pahang and Johor," said Ling.

"We have produced more than 100,000 people from the college who are now serving the country well," added the veteran politician, who has been leading Malaysia's second largest party for 17 years.

Team players

Present at the function were both Ling's loyalists and critics.

From the party's Team A were vice-presidents Ong Ka Ting and Dr Fong Chan Onn, Wanita chief Ng YenYen, Youth vice-chairperson Loh Seng Kok, and central committee member Chor Chee Heung.

While for Team B: deputy president Lim Ah Lek, vice-presidents Chan Kong Choy and Chua Jui Meng, Wanita deputy chief Dr Tan Yee Kew, and central committee members Dr Tang Si Hang and Fu Ah Kiow.

Umno deputy president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and MCA's candidate for tomorrow's by-election, Oui Ah Lan, were seen seated between the two feuding party leaders, Ling and Lim.

MCA leaders also refrained from hurling accusations at each other, a rarity in recent months since a rift opened between the rival factions. The rift appeared following the party's takeover of two Chinese newspapers last year.

Early this month, Barisan Nasional president Dr Mahathir Mohamad met Ling and Lim separately to advise them to bury the hatchet and work towards victory in the by-election.

The apparent unity - exactly what Prime Minister Mahathir wanted to see - won praises from his deputy, Abdullah.

Working as one

In his speech at the dinner, Abdullah said, "Who said MCA cannot work as one? Look at the party, its leaders are now sitting and eating at the same table."

He added that despite the internal politics and differences among the political parties in the ruling BN coalition, they can work together to form a strong government which shares power among all the races.

Abdullah also pledged full support to former headmistress Oui (photo) who is contesting against Keadilan's Khoo Yang Chong.

"I did not know Ah Lan before this but during the walkabouts today, she knows everyone she came across and she was close with them.

"With this kind of candidate, I say it is very easy for us to win," he said.

Other BN leaders who attended the dinner were Umno secretary-general Khalil Yaakob, Gerakan chief Dr Lim Keng Yaik, and Parti Persaka Bumiputra Bersatu Sarawak vice-president Effendi Norwawi.

Perlis state chief Shahidan Kassim also dropped by for about five minutes to show support for Oui, who was his special assistant before the by-election.

Final lap

All are ready for more walkabouts today, the last day for campaigning. Polling day is tomorrow and according to election regulations, campaigning must cease at midnight.

Both candidates - MCA's Oui and Keadilan's Khoo - use Chinese interests, particularly mother-tongue education, as their campaign fodder to garner as many votes as possible from the Chinese electorate.

While some analysts predict a close fight, BN is confident of an easy win to retain its stronghold, which fell vacant after the MCA incumbent, Khor Liang Tee, died of colon cancer last month.

Indera Kayangan has an electorate of 7,976 voters - 47 percent Malays, 46 percent Chinese and 5 percent Indians.

In the 1999 general election, MCA garnered 3,825 votes, defeating Keadilan by 1,974 votes.