If the merging process is facing some objection from the members concerned, then I think they should look to the other alternative - find another three political parties (Sabah and Sarawak can be the source) and turn Barisan Alternatif into a coalition party and contest in the election under the same banner.

This way, all parties in the BA will merge indirectly and grow stronger. This will make the chances of kicking Barisan Nasional out in 2004 better than now.

As the advertisement of British Education at Putra LRT stations says: "Where will you be in 2004?"

BA should be far better in terms of cooperation among its component parties.