This is in response to the letters by CT Wong and KYM on the recent Indera Kayangan by-election in Perlis. While the former supports the stand taken by DAP not to support the candidate put up by Keadilan, the latter was unhappy with the stand taken by the DAP's CEC.

Consistent with the views of these two writers, I too, support the premise that there should be opposition solidarity, in view of the Barisan Nasional's mode of dirty-politicking and racial polarisation.

CT Wong's view of the DAP's stand is based purely on ethical and credibility criteria while KYM wrote a strong rebut on the behaviour of the CEC decision not to support the candidate put up by BA on the grounds of the party's narrow-mindedness and selfishness.

I would like to extend on CT Wong's view and why the view of KYM is ideal for opposition parties but it cannot stand without some scrutiny in its truism. From his writing, I presume that KYM is most likely a Keadilan supporter/member or a dissatisfied DAP member/supporter.

I think that the decision taken by the DAP's CEC not to support the opposition candidate in the by-election is justified in view of the current circumstances, and the behaviour of Keadilan, both past and present.

I suppose many readers of malaysiakini still remember the role played by Keadilan in the Teluk Kemang by-election, Lunas by-election fiasco, the 1999 general elections and the more recent Sarawak state election.

For those who have forgotten, I would like to reiterate the incidents. First, the 1999 general elections. At that time, DAP was with Barisan Alternatif. While there appears to be not too much unethical upheaval between the DAP and Keadilan, the DAP was forced to accept that Keadilan was to be given more seats to contest.

Surprisingly, Dominic Ng, a former DAP state leader who contested as an independent in the 1999 general elections was readily accepted back by Keadilan after the election. This is the first stab-in-the-back.

Similarly, in the Teluk Kemang by-election, DAP has to give way to Keadilan. This is the second stab-in-the-back. In the Lunas by-election, Keadilan prevented an Indian from being a DAP candidate by claiming that an Indian would not be the most suitable candidate.

By manipulating the voting system of BA, PRM sided with Keadilan by putting a Malay candidate in that by-election. This episode demonstrates that Keadilan would do anything to get their way, even at the expense of the coalition allies.

This is the third stab-in-the-back. Similar backstabbing and unethical practices by Keadilan were repeated in the later Sarawak state election. Even after attempts at cooperation among the opposition parties, Keadilan fielded many candidates in seats which were traditionally contested by DAP. This is the fourth stab-in-the-back.

Other unethical practices by Keadilan include the call for massive defection of members from DAP, racial polarisation of its members and playing different tunes in its policies, etc.

It was true that Keadilan did win in Lunas, but given the situation at that time, any candidate put up by DAP, PAS or even PRM would have won. If the premise of the 'most suitable candidates hold', Keadilan would have won many seats hands down in the Sarawak state election. But, Keadilan lost miserably.

The various election results of Keadilan do not speak much of it as a powerful political force as four out of their five MPs elected are from Trengganu and Kelantan, which are anti-BN strongholds.

Keadilan may claim that they are a multicultural and multiracial party and hence, they are entitled to put up candidates in whatever constituency they deem fit. But their deeds did not show it. For instance, in their recent general assembly, racial attacks were directed at another leader.

So, what does Keadilan stands for? I do not know except that it is a common knowledge that it stands to fight for the freedom of one man Anwar Ibrahim. What is their national agenda on race, religion, the NEP, the educational system and the much talked fight against 'cronyism'?

Again, I do not know. To date, they have yet to make any official stand on the Islamic state, on racial harmony and fair opportunities for Malaysians.

In view of what have transpired and the insincerity of BA, and in particular, Keadilan, how could DAP support them in this by-election? I suppose BA is now crying for more non-Malay support, but would they Keadilan, PRM or PAS support a Malay candidate put up by DAP in any constituency, let alone a Malay-majority constituency?

Lastly, my view is that, if the CEC of DAP has made a stand, it should stick to it and not allow any individual, no matter how popular he/she is, to violate the consensus. I would also like DAP to adopt a more open policy, for example to attract more Malay members and candidates in future elections.