I refer to YWC's letter, "DAP primed to lose grassroots support" , KMY's "DAP's decision a shame" and Ex-Journalist, "Important messages from by-election" and would like to give my opinion of the matter.

I believe DAP's decision to stay out of the Indera Kayangan by-election was a right move strategically. Given the current emotionally-charged issues on race and religion such as the Islamic state, the fear of terrorists after Sept 11, segregation in schools, and internal squabbles in MCA and Barisan Alternatif, the decisions of the electorate in Indera Kayangan would presumably be based on emotion and not rationale.

With PAS and DAP out of the by-election, the emotional issues are lessened. The BN and Keadilan candidates are left shouting basically the same thing; the question for the electorate will be "who can bring the cake home?"

Many may feel only the BN can save the economy, which is also an important issue, while Keadilan will ask the electorate to send a strong message to the government that the public are not too happy with them.

Ex-Journalist's reasons for voting against the BN is a good reminder to us all.