Lim Kit Siang latest offer for a new secular front is the current topic of debate. It comes at the heel of DAP walking out of Barisan Alternatif (BA).

There are two aspects to this issue:

1) The reasons behind DAP's departure from BA.
2) The reasons for the call of a secular front.

DAP cited PAS' stand on the Islamic State issue for its departure from BA. It alleges that PAS had flouted the BA manifesto. But this has not been proven. In fact, PAS has reiterated its commitment to the BA manifesto time and time again and has never violated the manifesto in any way.

The underlying idea behind the formation of BA is to resurrect democracy, uphold justice and introduce transparency - principles contained within the 1999 BA manifesto.

The question that remains is if DAP is more committed to justice, or to secularism? Is the DAP willing to sacrifice the pursuit for justice and freedom for the sake of strengthening secularism in Malaysia?

In the context of current Malaysia, the call for justice and freedom supersedes the call for individual ideology. It is based on this that the BA was forged and formed.

Maybe the DAP has forgotten that oppression in Malaysia and around the world by various regimes are perpetrated by secular ones.

DAP's assumption, that a secular government guarantees a just government, is invalid.

In fact, even in a secular environment, the fight for justice and freedom must never stop. BA is all about justice and freedom and it is free from ideological bindings. What counts in BA is what is contained in the BA manifesto. That's all.

I believe that Lim and DAP have failed to prove that PAS' stand on the Islamic State goes against the BA manifesto.

PAS made a big mistake befriending the ungrateful DAP.

DAP is not mature enough to play an active role in bringing positive change to this country.