I find that sadly, I have much to agree with Wan Sou Hai's letter, 'Keadilan must stand up for its principles' (Oct 22), and Lee Ban Chen's article, 'PAS hadapi cabaran baru' (Oct 24).

This just adds to my aggravation and disappointment with the opposition parties. I cannot help but feel that I have been cheated by the opposition into believing that we have a more credible alternative front. Obviously, the recent shenanigans prove otherwise.

First, we had DAP who suddenly realised that they had 'leapt before looking' and thus the need to retract their foot from their mouth.

Then, the current ongoing mini-power-struggle within Keadilan, signalling that perhaps they are now realising that besides the anti-ISA campaign and getting Anwar Ibrahim released from Sg Buloh, there may be little common ground amongst them.

And what can I say about PAS? They are keen to bring Islam into every issue - which is commendable, as it shows their commitment and integrity by being consistent and frank, at the very least, with regards to their faith.

On a separate note, I would still have to take my hats off to Dr Mahathir Mohamad for being the king of subtlety and success since he managed to push through Umno's Islamisation plans over the years, right under our noses, without MCA and MIC even blinking an eyelid!

But when you start calling for a jihad when it's your Muslim friends the Taliban (but not when it was your Muslim friends the Kuwaiti) and then condone burning of flags from other countries, it really does little to my confidence with regard to the level of fanaticism and extremism practiced. If I were Keadilan, I would worry too, as PAS almost always refers to a future time when PAS, rather than BA, comes to power.

And the best joke of all - when our four opposition parties 'joined' hands through BA for the elections. It was an obvious capitalisation of the situation at that time when the public was looking for hope beyond Mahathir's administration.

The four plunged into a union without working out their compatibility issues. The 'as-long-as-we-defeat-Mahathir' syndrome overtook all else. In retrospect, can you imagine how the current hoo-haa would have turned out if BA had actually won the elections?

If the opposition cannot even keep their own coalition or their own houses in order, they really have very little credibility to stand on when saying anything against the government.

At least BN on the surface has maintained a strong sense of togetherness through the years (albeit, by whatever subtle, manipulative or even fake means).

As a voter, I have little choice. Whatever my grouses may be with the current government, I cannot deny that we have made progress in our development as a country over the past 20 years under Mahathir's rule. Sure, our government has grown complacent and comfortable in its high horses (and cushioned by certain individuals' fat pockets).

True, our human rights track record is quite lacking. In fact, anyone can list a whole bunch of other 'lackings'.

But the truth is, we have very little plausible alternatives. Dare we risk the nation in the hands of our current opposition parties? Can we trust any of these parties to run our country in place of the current government?

To the opposition leaders, don't blame the public if that is all you will ever be - an opposition leader. You can forget about your 'if-we-were-the-government' plans. That is just not going to materialise until you get your act together and buck up!

And I say all this not with malice, but with much sadness. It's 'wake up' time! The next election is around the corner. Do us all a favour and give the incumbents a good fight.