DAP will reveal the name of its candidate for the April 12 Machap by-election tomorrow in the Malacca state constituency itself, said party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

Speaking to reporters in the Parliament lobby today, he said a three-member committee made up of the chairperson, deputy chairperson and himself have decided on the candidate.

According to Lim, the people of Machap have the opportunity to effect change in the country.

"It is the responsibility of the people of Machap to bring about change. If we want our lives to be better we must start from Machap.

"One more victory for Barisan Nasional (BN) will not make any difference but one less victory for them will send a strong message to the government to correct its mistakes and ensure greater freedom and opportunities for all Malaysians, he said.

Asked on the speculation that PAS may field an independent candidate , Lim declined to comment beyond saying it is the party's right to do so.

"It is PAS' prerogative to field a candidate. I have no comments. We have no communication with PAS on Machap. If they wish to field a candidate it is their right to do so," he said.

Yesterday, malaysiakini reported that PAS Malacca intends to field a candidate as it is upset with DAP for running down the Islamic party in the Chinese media.

Work with PKR

Meanwhile, Lim said DAP will work closely with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) for the by-election.

"We will meet with PKR leaders to work out a common strategy to put up the best performance possible.

"I will be meeting with (PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) afterwards in her chambers to discuss and map out a common strategy where both parties can try to drum up maximum support from voters of all races," he said.

Contacted later, Wan Azizah's parliamentary aide Elizabeth Wong said a meeting did not transpire.

"We didn't meet. After (Wan Azizah) finished her speech, she attended another meeting and we left Parliament.

"We received a letter dated today for Lim to meet Wan Azizah or her nominee to discuss the by-election," she said.

The Machap seat - a traditional stronghold of the ruling MCA - fell vacant following the death of incumbent Poh Ah Tiam, 55, on March 15.

It is speculated that the possible DAP candidate includes Lim's special assistant Tey Kok Kiew and DAP Youth committee member Liou Chen Kuang.

Their rival MCA has also thrown several names around including party vice-president Dr Fong Chan Onn's special assistant Ngow Dow Soon, his political secretary Lai Meng Chong and his private secretary Chew Chong Lin.