I have been observing the recent flurry of letters concerning the issue of DAP's decision to not support Keadilan's candidate for the Indera Kayangan by-election. I also was amused to read the many letters that appeared in malaysiakini chastising DAP on its decision to pull out of Barisan Alternatif.

Even to a non-DAP member like me, it is obvious that there seems to be a group of very determined people with a hidden agenda who are trying to run down the party leaders for reasons best known only to them.

I mention amusing because although some of the writers claim to be DAP supporters or Chinese Malaysian, from their writings it is quite apparent that they are not.

I am writing this letter not to defend the DAP leaders but to put the whole matter into proper perspective and to not let these writers hijack the truth.

Although I am not a member of DAP, I do have a very healthy respect for some of the party elders and leaders such asLim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Lim Eng Guan, etc. These veterans have the highest political credibility and have proven themselves many times over as honourable and principled men who are respected by friends, foes and neutrals alike.

Even though I do not agree with them on many issues, I do admire these leaders for their contributions to the process of nation-building as well as for fighting for the rights of the non-Malays.

Even during their lowest and darkest days they did not resort to dirty tactics or unethical practices to win votes. The only time that they disappointed me was when they joined BA.

I think many of the writers do not see or purposely chose to ignore the fact that people who voted for DAP did so not for the party to defeat BN and set up the next government but to provide checks and balances in the system to prevent abuses.

Secondly for a political party to gain credibility, it must stick to its principles and objectives and not abandon them in favour of some short-term gains. DAP has always maintained a balanced view on BN, giving credit when its due but at the same time unafraid to criticise when it necessary.

It will serve no purpose for DAP even if BA defeats BN in the Indera Kayangan by-election or even in the next general elections. If that happens BA will probably will set-up a type of government that will be even more repugnant than the current one. As such I fail to see any logic for DAP to remain in BA or to provide any support to Keadilan's candidate in Indera Kayangan.

Another fallacy that been bandied around is that the Chinese Malaysians are writing off DAP as irrelevant and are joining Keadilan in droves as it is perceived to be truly multi-racial.

There was even a letter saying that the Chinese were impressed with Keadilan for fielding a Chinese candidate for the by-election. I think this moronic argument does not even warrant an answer. I am sure the Chinese have not forgotten the Lunas and Teluk Kemang debacles and the disgraceful campaigns conducted there by Keadilan and PAS.