I refer to Meng's Keadilan-PRM merger spells hope for new Malaysia and YSM's related letter Mat Taib is proof BN out of touch with grassroots.

When Keadilan came on the political scene some years ago, many people thought and hoped it might become the heavyweight opponent to the Barisan Nasional, bringing to Malaysia the two-major-party system most mature democratic countries have.

Unfortunately Keadilan proved to be nothing more than a single-issue party, that of campaigning for and freeing former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim. Its most telling moment of failure to measure up to the people's hope (other than its own hardcore supporters) was when it failed to resoundingly reject the religious agenda of its ally, PAS, which frightened many Malaysians. What timidity, what a great disappointment!

How can one expect non-Muslim Malaysians to ever support a party that developed cold feet at a time when what was sorely needed was political courage from Keadilan's leaders, most notably Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail?

Where was her statesperson-like rejection of such a legislation that would marginalise many Malaysians? At least Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had the guts to confront PAS, and provide the much-needed assurance to many Malaysians.

I could never vote for a party whose leaders lack the political leadership, courage and vision to look after all Malaysians.