Looking at all the arguments going on about the Islamic state issue, DAP vs PAS, people urging PAS to leave Barisan Alternatif, the meritocracy issue and some others; in a way, it seems that S Rahman is right about malaysiakini 'Doing a good job spreading hatred and disunity'(July 27)- i.e. hatred and disunity within the BA.

Anyway, what's going on now within the BA simply reflects the current state of Malaysian society which has been based on an emphasis on race (instead of class) since independence. In short, whether the BA or BN wins the next election, I don't see much changing.

Thinking about Indonesia's experience, when Gus Dur ascended the presidency, he was a hero among reform-minded people here. However, when his position was threatened, he showed that he could also be dictatorial and now that he's in disgrace, what have those who held him up as a hero have to say now?

Regarding the possibility of the DAP leaving the BA due to irreconcilable differences with PAS over the Islamic state issue, all I can say is that if the split has to happen, DAP should maintain an electoral pact with what's left of the BA and agree not to stand against each other and split the vote in the next general elections.