I agree partly with the unease about DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang's proposal and the opinion that only PAS can fight head on with Umno. However, I don't think relying on PAS is the only way to challenge Barisan Nasional.

The formation of the Barisan Alternatif is to give the people another choice of government. Following the 1999 general election, PAS is clearly the big winner in BA as it increased its Parliamentary seats significantly. However, if we enlarge our scope and look at the whole country, BA is still a loser.

BA could not even get one third of the parliamentary seats; it still has a long way to go before it can seriously compete with BN.

Why are many people refusing to choose BA as an alternative ? Does it means that the alternative is not that attractive? Or is there something wrong with the front?

If so, why shouldn't the people be given another alternative, improved and modified? No improvement can come without change.

DAP isn't the only one with doubtful grassroots support. Keadilan is comprised of many ex-Umno members. Where membership size is concerned, I grant that Keadilan rules, but how can we be sure of the members' support should the current political situation change?

Keadilan is also on shaky ground with regard to its policy. What makes it different from others? Its Anwar Ibrahim cause? Or its 'multiracial' slogan? Is that it?

Three years on since its formation, the party has yet to deliver a visible policy. When I ask its members, most of the time I get the same answer: "Justice." Fine, I accept that. But what I can see is all their propaganda is about Anwar and recently the ISA detainees. Does it mean that Keadilan is only about Anwar Ibrahim and the ISA detainees?

I understand that every party has internal problems and if we keep arguing about them, Malaysia and Malaysians won't ever progress. I advise all opposition parties to stop attacking each other, come out with a better alternative and prepare for the next election.