I disagree with the viewpoints expressed by both MC (Keadilan's multiracial but lacks substance) and Disappointed (Single-issue party can't serve Malaysians).

With due respect, I must say that their views seem to have been formed through limited social exposure and with little regard for justice and compassion. Their opinions also appear to be heavily influenced by the mainstream media and inexplicable personal prejudices.

Keadilan certainly fights for former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's release because he is a political prisoner as declared by the international community, including the European Union and the United States. The political persecution of Anwar Ibrahim was also detested by Asian and Muslim non-governmental organisations and individuals.

However, that is not all that Keadilan does. Keadilan, like DAP, PAS and PRM, also fights for the release of all other political prisoners such as Tian Chua, Hishamuddin Rais, Lokman Noor Adam and others being incarcerated under the Internal Security Act which allows indefinite detention without trial.

For people who follow alternative media or take the trouble to attend opposition talks, they would know that these parties also:

  • advocate freedom of speech, expression and media;

  • struggle for the independence and integrity of the judiciary;

  • fight for a de-politicised and professional police force;

  • expose corruption in high places (strangely, it was whistle-blower Mohamad Ezam Mohd Noor that has been jailed under the Official Secrets Act for two years, while the alleged are not even questioned by the authorities); and

  • support the right of all ethnic communities to mother tongue education, while maintaining Malay as the official language and English as an important language of international communication, science and technology.

    There are many other more things said and done by Keadilan, and these are all reported and recorded in print in Berita Keadilan, or on the Internet in various websites, such as Free Anwar or Pemuda Keadilan.

    It seems that the writers also assume that the more one party's name appear in the media, official or alternative, the more popular and acceptable it is. The reality is that in politics (unlike in the press rooms), parties and leaders (including Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) have to work on the ground among the grassroots as well, and this is often outside and far away from Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya or Bangsar.

    Of course, it is not wrong to criticise even the shortcomings of opposition parties, but let us bear in mind that the playing field is not level, and that before criticising others, we should know and acknowledge our own limitations as individuals.