With or without DAP's presence, I think Chinese Malaysians should ensure that the opposition wins in the Indera Kayangan by-election for the following reasons:

1) To send an unmistakable message to MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik that the Chinese community rejects the takeover of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press;

2) To send a clear signal to Umno that Chinese Malaysians are still expecting Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to offer an official and open apology over his remarks that Suqiu and Chinese community are like the "communists" and "Al-Ma'unah"; and over the terrorist threat made by Umno Youth to raze the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall to the ground;

3) To protest against many broken promises on Chinese schools;

4) To register the approval of Chinese Malaysians for Keadilan's effort to transform itself gradually but practically into a genuinely broad-based multi-ethnic and multi-religious party of national unity and inter-ethnic solidarity against oppression;

5) To tell other communities and the whole world that the Chinese in Malaysia are not conservative or reactionary people who support corruption, nepotism and cronyism; on the contrary, we are a community that uphold the universal value of justice.

My hope is that ordinary members and supporters of DAP, Gerakan and even MCA would see the larger picture and the real issues involved in the Indera Kayangan by-election, and not be fooled by Umno puppets like Karpal Singh, Kerk Kim Hock, Lim Keng Yaik and Ling.