The Barisan Alternatif presidential council has certainly made a very responsible and mature decision in calling on voters to support the DAP candidate for the Ketari by-election.

It is time for BA and DAP to look forward and ahead, not backward.

BA should perhaps consider, when the time is ripe, mobilising resources on the ground to maximise support for DAP.

The Ketari by-election will give BA parties an opportunity to observe the strategies and tactics of Barisan Nasional, especially Umno.

Keadilan, PAS and PRM must seize the opportunity to learn to neutralise and offset the BN strategies and tactics so that they are more prepared for the coming general elections.

In short, it is to the interest of BA to actively help DAP in the Ketari by-election.

Win or lose, DAP must learn to identify who are true friends and who are enemies. It must also take appropriate steps to forge a brighter future for democratic forces in Malaysia.