Just as Abdullah Junid

has been following Dr Chandra Muzaffar's "political career" since the early 1980s, I too have been following Chandra's career but not the political one since that only started when he joined Keadilan. He was an established academician and international figure almost two decades before Keadilan came into existence.

If Abdullah has been following Chandra's career as closely as he claims then he would know that after the Sept 11 attack Chandra has been continuously going abroad to contribute to the ongoing debate of Islam and the west. By taking time to look at the International Movement for a Just World website, maybe people like Abdullah would have a better understanding of this 'mysterious' movement and its international members of high credentials.

So it is devastating to find people like Abdullah and Marissa attacking a person character using such accusations. I am not pro-Chandra but I do believe that some credit should be given to the man. After all he was detained under the Internal Security Act during Operasi Lallang and lost his position in the university during the Anwar crisis.

His international reputation did help Keadilan gain credibility in an unbelievably short period of time. One should not forget that it was Chandra who issued statements on behalf of his former party and fought for Keadilan in getting more, if not equal, allocation of seats in the Barisan Alternatif during the 1999 elections.

The important question is what finally deluded him to such an extent about the party that made him give up politics, be it opposition or government. It is a fact that Keadilan is losing support. The general public is no longer interested in the Anwar issue and the never-ending internal squabbles among its leaders and various divisions.

Many questions surround Keadilans so-called 'struggle' and its focus on the Anwar cause - first the court cases, then the arsenic poisoning issue and then the back injury. I find it strange that for someone who at one point desperately needed a surgery only available overseas could still survive on painkillers for almost a year!

There is also the issue of Anwar's Time magazine interview; where Anwar voiced his support for the US-led coalition in the war in Afganistan. These are issues that the public should look into and finally question the reason for someone like Chandra to say that he has finally had enough with the party.

We must also not forget that even in Keadilan there is a split between Malaysian Muslim Youth Association (Abim) and non-Abim members. After the party election last year, there were talks of Abim members pulling out of Keadilan and in the event that this happens, who is left? Ex-Umno members? How comforting could this be?

All I am saying is we as Malaysian should stop and think of the direction that Keadilan is heading. After all I am clear with PAS and DAPs political agenda and struggle but I can't say the same for Keadilan.