LCH hit the nail right on the head in his ' PAS wrong to reject socialism ' . Islam has been in fact the greatest social religion. Among all religions, it alone has codified rules for looking after society's underprivileged, though many of these rules have been misinterpreted and abused today.

For example, one reason for the rule of four wives was originally to look after the welfare of war widows. Then, there were millions of Indians belonging to the lowest caste in a Hindu society converting to Islam to break free of the nonsensical system. As Muslims they became equal in the eyes of the Muslim world instead of someone as ridiculous as a born pariah. Mahatma Gandhi was either so incensed or embarrassed with the persecution and oppression of this caste in Indian society that he renamed them as harijans, children of God.

LCH is absolutely right in pinpointing the refusal of PAS to accept socialism because it has molded Islam in its own image, one of total intolerance, where only its leaders are right, and of course everyone else, particular BN Muslims are sinners, or wrong at best.

It cannot afford to have a tolerant benevolent approach of a real socialist system. How then would it be able to criticise those with tight jeans, lipstick, perfume and mascara to boost up its own importance, its religious 'credentials'? How otherwise would it be able to keep women in the homes and rule this as the only permissible role of ladies in society? With PAS we won't have a Malaysian Muslim woman as governor of Bank Negara or a nuclear physicist working in London.

Dr Syed Husin Ali has demonstrated his strength of character and dignity befitting that of a top

political leader in declining to descend down to the level of PAS Nik Aziz Nik Mat. But why stay in Keadilan? This party has not done much to tell PAS off for its unacceptable insult, other than the usual very soft whimpers.

It would be a great day for Malaysian politics if Dr Syed Husin would join the DAP together with the PSM people. We may even see the rebirth of the '1969 Gerakan', which by the way is light years different from today's Gerakan. Now, the DAP is a party that will speak up loud and clear for its members if they are wronged. I would also encourage those dissatisfied Gerakan members to join the DAP as well, where Indians are highly respected and valued, like Karpal Singh, Patto, Nair, etc.

However, I disagree with Seventy_5 that Keadilan has been a moderating factor or a moderate party in Malaysian politics. Moderation is nothing more than a euphemism, nay, an excuse for its continuing subservience to PAS. Keadilan dares not say more than the usual obligatory plaintive whines when its terrifying ally makes pronouncements that shake Keadilan's multiracial multicultural credentials.

Keadilan would close its eyes and ears and of course its mouth, and hope Nik Aziz or Abdul Hadi Awang would go away and people may forget about what they have said. Does Keadilan deserve a man like Dr Syed Husin Ali? Absolutely not!

I mentioned many letters ago that Keadilan had recruited Dr Syed Husin and the PRM into its ranks for prestige, to camouflage its hardcore Umno character. Dr Syed Husin Ali does provide some credulity to the word reformasi, for without him, who can associate reformasi with a bunch of disgruntled former Umno members posing as Keadilan!