The mainstream media is controlled and manipulated to serve the narrow interests of powerful elites. Opinions, sentiments and voices of ordinary people like us are either ignored or suppressed as if we are non-existent or second-class citizens. Keadilan is now clearly the target for BN's smear propaganda campaign but how many people will now be duped?

In my opinion (I have been voting since 1974), it is not easy to be in opposition in a repressive environment where many people have been mentally conditioned to preserve the status quo at all costs and without critical thinking.

Moreover, since Keadilan is a mass-based moderate opposition party that opens its door to all Malaysians, it is really threatening to the Umno-dominated regime which thrives on racial divide and rule. That is probably why the Umno-controlled media prefers to give a bit of space to DAP to "prove" its "impartiality", knowing fully well that DAP are not mass-based nor centrist parties that could appeal to middle-of-the-road voters and threaten to challenge its foundation.

The police also seems to target specifically at Keadilan for political repression for the same reason.

This is, in fact, the success of the Keadilan concept as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious party led by moderate Muslims and non-Muslims. Some see the party as "indecisive" or "wishy-washy" but, in my opinion, moderation necessarily involve the moral decision to eschew racially or religiously extremist thinking. Malaysia is a complex and multifaceted society that cannot accept any form of extremist thinking in inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations.

Keadilan has inspired many Malaysians, especially the youth, how to be vocal oppositionists and yet remain moderate and inclusive in conducting inter-ethnic and inter-religious discourses in the public.

Indeed, through its association with PAS and PRM in Barisan Alternatif, Keadilan (and PRM) has quietly achieved a great deal in bridging the communication gap between PAS and non-Muslims. PAS has also positively adjusted to the multi-ethnic reality of Malaysia and the world. It is a constructive engagement with a socio-political force that is part and parcel of the overall reality in Malaysia.

For example, PAS has reaffirmed its commitments to parliamentary democracy, multi-ethnic approach to poverty eradication, and support for universal human rights and press freedom. In Kelantan and Terengganu, the cultures and religions of non-Muslims are preserved in accordance with the federal constitution and the positive teachings of Islam. PAS also fully supports

Chinese and Tamil school systems which are, like the Sekolah Agama Rakyat (SAR), proud institutions of the Malaysian society.

PAS has to compete with Umno in a playing field that is not level. Seen in this context, until and unless Umno drops its so-called "Ketuanan Melayu" ideology and repudiates its "Islamic state" declaration, it is not fair to demand PAS to unilaterally disarm its ideology which is an antidote to Umno's racism and authoritarianism. The poor, oppressed and marginalised need ideologies and a firm belief in God's reward and punishment to counter the temptations of obscene wealth and repressive power of the arrogant and corrupt elites.

Let us face reality: PAS and the socio-political and historical forces it leads or inspires cannot be eliminated by making hostile or unfriendly declarations. Only trusted friends and allies can hope to constructively engage PAS and sharing with it positive ideas to progressively unload its

historical baggage, and to transcend the present limitations. Patience and wisdom are always needed in the politics of alliance.

Seen in this context, Keadilan leaders and members, especially non-Muslims, are only being socially and politically responsible for not pandering to Islamophobia, and the whims and fancies of the lobbyists of vice industries. I salute them for not being tempted into noisy opportunism and dangerous populism.

True leadership in democratic politics is not only about reflecting public opinion but also educating and improving the quality of public opinion. This is what makes Keadilan unique and great, despite all the noisy, vindictive and venomous attacks by BN propagandists.

My family's votes will all go to Keadilan for the above reasons.