To be honest, I think all Malaysians that are seeking any form of change in federal governance are looking forward to a united opposition. That goes without saying.

Coalitions are but labels. It is the pith and substance of what opposition parties stand for that really matters.

To say that Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not be invited to DAP’s national conference on Dec 4, 2016 because Bersatu is not part of the Pakatan Harapan is a move backwards.

One must agree that there are technicalities and formalities that have to be sorted out before a political party can join a political coalition.

Bersatu is still a new party so surely they must be given time to sort things out internally, and subsequently some time to be part of a coalition.

Please don’t forget that this concept of opposition coalition is something new as well in Malaysian politics. The late Pakatan Rakyat was just that, a newborn. Even that didn’t last two elections. Hence, it is but a label. A label for voters to recognise come election time.

Now there is Pakatan Harapan which should strive to be stronger. Sometimes this sort of coalition break-ups are necessary to reach a strong relationship.

The opposition should not do things that would confuse the rakyat, especially with all these labels.

So why the rigid approach to Bersatu? It’s like forcing Bersatu to do something that we trust they will do, just not yet.

If common goals are shared, do not let technical issues dilute it. Voters are only concerned if the parties are working together.

Lay people do not know the internal ‘sorting out’ by these political parties.

Malaysians know that there is much to be sorted out especially in terms of allocation of seats to be contested. Don’t think Malaysians are so naive.

DAP is definitely not in a position now to shun anyone away in the bigger scheme of things. And that is exactly what should be in the forefront of DAP’s mind, the bigger picture.

Saying that DAP will not call certain parties because they are not part of the current opposition coalition, is immature to say the least, especially in these current political climate.

I trust Lim Kit Siang will set things right.

PUTHAN PERUMAL is an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.