The PKR youth leaders, in rejecting the possibility of breaking their alliance with PAS, have once again demonstrated their lack the confidence to break away from the shadows of their PAS masters. A weakness of character on PKR's part.

Statements by both Ezam and Shamsul seem to indicate that the party still harbours hopes that PAS will not jeopardise the BA further by propagating an Islamic state. This is simply not possible for a party whose sole aim is to make Malaysia a radical Islamic state with the Hudud law as the law of the land.

Over the last five years, PAS has demonstrated that it is a party based on Islam, and regardless of what PKR thinks, will do what its political ideology prescribes. PKR, in asking PAS to be more moderate, is undertaking an exercise in futility.

Laying blame on various factions within the party is not going to strengthen the party. It only goes to show that PKR is now fractionalised with different goals and political ideologies.

Perhaps they have forgotten the 'rejection' of Dr Syed Husin Ali, the deputy president of PKR. A rejection of Syed Husin is a slap in the face for the entire party.

When will PKR come of age as a political party, free of dependence on other parties? As long as the party is not willing to consider going the political road alone, it will always only be an associate of another more established party with more determined political goals.

I am of the opinion that PKR should undertake a period of self reflection and determine what it stands for. Thereafter, it must stand firm on its belief, regardless of what PAS or any other party thinks.

After all, that is what will ultimately attract supporters of the party - not whether it is in alliance with PAS or not.