I'm quite sceptical of the opposition's chances of increasing their seats in the next general election that may take place in 2004. This is in the light of the on-going Ketari by-election campaign, where only the DAP is doing all the hard work, minus any visible help from their former allies.

I feel very strongly that there is a need for co-operation among the opposition parties. It's a pity that the Barisan Alternatif have categorically said that they would not officially help out since there was no official letter, but would allow their lower ranking officials to assist.

This does not make sense. It's sort of "revenge" by PAS and Keadilan, just because DAP pulled out of BA. The DAP has helped Keadilan in two by-elections, namely Teluk Kemang and Lunas, but Keadilan has not even officially helped DAP in one single by-election previously.

There is a need for the opposition to look to the future, with a possible pact with other opposition parties, just like Gagasan Rakyat way back in 1990 in those "days of hope". At least, there would be a chance to reduce the BN's brutish two-third majority.

Otherwise, it is impossible for the opposition to carry on with all the disunity in fighting their common enemy — Barisan Nasional.

There is a need to build friendship and build bridges, not sow distrust, with other opposition parties. BN works as a united team and do not even need any written application in order to help each other. What about the opposition parties as a whole?

Are they contented with bickering among themselves? Is PAS contented to be in the BA, while bent on its aim to set up an Islamic state? If so, then PAS is also wasting their time in BA, as their avowed aim in setting up an Islamic state is impractical in a multi-religious country like Malaysia.

What more when Malaysia has already been declared an Islamic state, so PAS' brand of Islamic state doesn't appeal at all to non-Muslims. Clearly, the ball lies at PAS' court to make a change or risk being sweep by the winds of change blowing in BN's favour.