I refer to the Malaysiakini report DAP: We'll win over PAS on local council polls .

Please note that local council elections do not necessarily mean that they will be a walk-over for Pakatan Rakyat candidates.

If implemented, anyone contesting has a chance of winning whether he or she is from Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Rakyat or as an independent. Therefore, any fear of ‘sure lose’ (especially by PAS) is unfounded.

Moreover, any expectation that DAP will be contesting in all local councils in the urban areas - and winning and controlling them all - is also unfounded and unwarranted.

Undoubtedly, there will be negotiations as to which parties' candidates will be contesting for not only in the urban but also the rural areas. PAS or PKR may contest in certain urban centres, while DAP could contest in certain rural areas in the ‘muhibbah’ spirit.

Finally, one important thing to note is this: If Pakatan Rakyat's component parties adopt a ‘grab-it-all’ or ‘grab-as-much-as-possible’ or some such uncompromising attitude, it will spell the beginning of the end for Pakatan Rakyat.

Remember, the votes are in the rakyat's hands and they can never be taken for granted. Never.