Supra Maniam s/o Kolanda Velu, later known as KVS Maniam and now Datuk M Kayveas has issued an ultimatum to Barisan Nasional, threatening to withdraw from the coalition if Barisan Nasional fails to amend the Internal Security Act.

Many have applauded this move while the rest associate him with a faulty radio which often fails to strike the right frequency.

Political analysts have formed a near consensus claiming Kayveas' controversial antics are driven by the motive of keeping the PPP within sight in the political radar. They believe that without these occasional outbursts, or rather mere sparks, Kayveas and his party may face the prospect of being wiped out from Barisan Nasional. Well, maybe not literally, but their voices may soon be insignificant.

Kayveas' statements appear to be constantly volatile. If the PPP feels that the Internal Security Act is an unjust law, they should push for an immediate amendment or repeal. The next general election would only be in 2012/2013.

Here we have a political leader, who is supposed to represent the people, suggesting that Barisan Nasional has about four years to consider the act, despite acknowledging that those who had been unfairly detained would have to continue serving detention for at least as long as that, unless of course, Syed Hamid chooses to releases them.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has now made it clear that the Internal Security Act will not be amended, burying any 'hopes' left for Kayveas. Abdullah also said that the PPP was free to leave the coalition.

This was decided at the Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting on Dec 9. In an immediate reaction, PPP Youth chairperson T Murugiah expressed shock over the statement made by the premier, but went on to say that ‘But I don't think Pak Lah meant what he said that we can leave because he's a nice man... but sometimes, what to do?’

How do we comprehend this? The prime minister has made his stand clear, but the PPP Youth chairperson tries to reinterpret it. Dec 11 saw the deputy president of the PPP chairing an emergency meeting to discuss their future in their BN coalition following Abdullah's statement.

Many who are aligned with them were hoping for the party to leave the coalition and consolidate their position as a formidable party. The outcome of the meeting was that the party would stand by Kayveas. To be fair to them, they may not have opted for a critical decision due to Kayveas' absence in the meeting.

Let's watch and see what transpires when Kayveas is back from the States in a couple of weeks. Supra Maniam s/o Kolanda Velu, the party has backed you, and you now have the chance of taking the PPP back to the heights of its glorious heyday.

The ball, I'm afraid, is now in your court.