Freddy Toh hit the nail on the head by saying that there isn't much choice electorally between the Barisan Nasional and the Barisan Alternatif.

Indeed, at least for the next general election expected next year, we have a rather limited choice between BN for status quo or BA for change or a stronger opposition which can provide a more credible check and balance on the BN, and the BA includes PAS whether we like its policies or not.

For a long time since independence, we now have an opposition coalition which has held together fairly well since the last election despite some disagreements and setbacks like the withdrawal of the Democratic Action Party (DAP).

With parties in this alternative front cooperating fairly well, it has a chance of being a credible alternative to the BN and I sincerely hope the DAP will at least come to some kind of electoral pact with the BA and not split the vote at the next elections.

As for corruption, I can't prove beyond the shadow of doubt that corruption won't exist under an alternative, Islamic, anarchist, socialist or communist state but instead of speculating on the level of transparency under a PAS-style Islamic state based upon a Transparency International report on Saudi Arabia and Sudan, I'd rather try and find out from people living in Kelantan and Terengganu whether there's less corruption in the civil service there now than when they were under the BN.

All I can say is that one of my Chinese colleagues who has been posted to Kelantan for the last few years has no complaints about the place and seems reasonably happy there and perhaps I should take a holiday in Kelantan and Terengannu to check them out for myself.

Meanwhile, a commercial building rises nearby which will further degrade the quality of life where I live - thanks to the Barisan Nasional government.

We're paying toll, thanks to the Barisan Nasional government.

Most of us have to go into debt for six or seven years to buy a new car, thanks to the Barisan Nasional government.

We have to wait a long time to see a doctor in a government hospital, thanks to the Barisan Nasional government.

Our educational system is going down the drain, thanks to the Barisan Nasional government.

Getting to and from KL International Airport costs more than the air fare to towns in Malaysia on a budget airline, thanks to the Barisan Nasional government.

Motorcyclists and cars are driving the wrong way up the road to make a shortcut, thanks to the Barisan Nasional government.

Motorcyclists are riding past red lights, thanks to the Barisan Nasional government.

Cars and motorcycles are doing u-turns at traffic lights when under the law they can't and in full view of a policeman in a kiosk, thanks to the Barisan Nasional government.

They're forever digging up the roads, thanks to the Barisan Nasional government.

There's no bus service between sections of Petaling Jaya, thanks to the Barisan Nasional government.

I can go on and on.