Keadilan's Dr Lee Boon Chye has chosen to give way to DAP's Lim Kit Siang in Ipoh Timor, and gone to contest in the high-risk Gopeng. This shows that Keadilan leaders are sincere and honest in opposition unity. We must salute Dr Lee for making a wise and selfless decision.

I am sure the majority of Ipoh voters, including Keadilan supporters and Dr Lee's followers will give DAP's Lim full support if Lim will reciprocate by calling on all DAP supporters in Gopeng to vote for Dr Lee. If this win-win attitude is adopted, then, the opposition can really hope to capture two parliamentary seats for two equally high-quality candidates.

Gopeng, although regarded as high-risk and a BN stronghold, is not impregnable. Neither is its incumbent Dr Ting Chew Peh invincible. Despite the fact that Dr Ting has been Gopeng's MP and full minister since 1986, the socio-economic condition in the constituency is still appalling. There is no sign of progress in the area.

Moreover, Dr Ting has served four terms and he is also no longer a minister in the cabinet. It is time for Dr Lee, also Chinese-educated and trilingual as well as a UK-trained heart surgeon to take over as the parliamentary representative for Gopeng.

On the other hand, although Ipoh Timor has been a Chinese-predominated opposition stronghold for many years until 1995, the fact remains that MCA was elected in the area for two terms from 1995 to 1999. DAP's Lim still needs the undivided support and goodwill of all opposition-minded residents to ensure his victory over MCA.

Thanks to the excellent groundwork done by Dr Lee and Keadilan supporters in the past four years, there are now a sizeable number of Chinese, Malay and Indian residents of Ipoh who are more opposition-inclined.

It is time to adopt a win-win paradigm to strengthen opposition unity to effectively challenge the hegemony and arrogance of the Barisan Nasional and MCA in the Kinta Valley.