I refer to Shaarad's letter No relying on political parties and wish to contribute my thoughts and opinions.

How can a person like Sharaad who shows no trust in political parties claim that he represents "the people"? Indeed, it is this kind of self-deluding arrogance that characterises some elitist NGOs like Sister-in-Islam which has only 18 members.

In a liberal democracy, everyone can claim to be anything, but mature adults must be cautious and responsible enough not to claim whatever that could be exposed easily as self-delusion.

Established political parties, whether in government and in opposition, at least formally field candidates in elections and actually obtain the mandate of the people to rule. Of course, that does not mean that NGOs and NGIs (non-governmental individuals) have no role to play.

NGOs and NGIs can criticised both ruling and opposition parties but finally, it is the political parties that represent the broad masses which make decisions. Political parties, in government or opposition are answerable and accountable to more people than NGOs and NGIs.

Without political parties, anybody can set up small groups of more than two person, but they cannot legislate because they have no mandate from the people. Unless NGO people and NGIs claim to hold truths not available to politicians, holy or secular, they have no modern right to claim the right to speak for "the people".