Keadilan is a new party and as such, winning or losing elections is not as important as participating in them with firm commitment to the values of national unity, social justice, democracy, human rights, inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony.

The Barisan Nasional under Dr Mahathir Mohamad has failed us in all these aspects, and it is time Keadilan endeavours to rebuild a united nation as envisioned by our independence fathers.

The road is, of course, long and winding because no decadent power, whether ruling or in opposition, would easily concede defeat and give up.

It took the great Dr Sun Yat Sen nine attempts to end the corrupt and unjust dynasty of Ching. The fact that a 396-year-old dynasty could be terminated is a testimony to the fact that nothing is impossible in politics, especially if the cause is just.

As a Chinese Malaysian, I am glad that Keadilan has taken effective and sincere measures to accord full rights and responsibilities to Chinese in the party as equal leaders and members. I am glad that Chinese are not only elected to top posts through democratic elections in the party predominated by Malays and Muslims, but also now selected as candidates and assisted by all races in the Barisan Alternatif.

Outside the party in the larger society, Chinese are still discriminated by the Umno-dominated government and marginalised as lesser citizens in all fields.

Contrary to what some people think, Chinese Malaysians are not politically apathetic or materialistic. We do care for the country and love everybody but what are the political channels that allow us to do that? MCA?

It is a businessmen's club corrupt to the core. Umno? It is plain racist. Gerakan? What's its difference from MCA? DAP? It is just a career-advancement club for a few English-educated Chinese and Indian lawyers who do not have any concept of organisation.

Perhaps, the right moment has come. Keadilan should attract more Chinese from all corners of our tanah air . Malays and Muslims in Keadilan should talk to their Chinese neighbours, friends and colleagues to patiently clear their doubts and assuage their fears so that more and more Chinese will join the great struggle for a new Malaysia as envisioned by Anwar Ibrahim.

Chinese Malaysians should seriously and positively consider joining and supporting Keadilan as the gateway to national integration and unity through their struggle with other communities for justice.