For DAP, it is more than winning seats as Disappointed has suggested. DAP needs to have a coherent policy on what it stands for. It should make this known in no uncertain terms, if it wants to be an effective alternative representation in Parliament.

As it stands, I do not know what DAP's electoral strategy is, but I can clearly see that PAS is aiming to replace the current government and establish an Islamic state. If it fails in its first objective, it will try to win as many seats for itself as possible and exert its influence on the Malaysian political process.

The DAP claims to still stand for a Malaysian Malaysia and democratic socialism. So it should come out with a blueprint of what it means by this and publicise it widely just as PAS has done. As far as I understand, DAP's concept of a Malaysian Malaysia means policies like the NEP will cease to exist under a DAP government. I'm sure this will cause concern and opposition from beneficiaries of this policy, which the Barisan Nasional will use against the DAP.

The DAP, or any other party which proposes a Malaysian Malaysia, should come out with an alternative programme which takes care of the interests of people, especially the lower income and disadvantaged groups. This plan should address issues such as housing, education, land allocation, assistance. In short, an NEP policy which favours by income, not race.

I have asked DAP members why they do not emphasise their democratic socialism more and their reply was that the concept of socialism "isn't fashionable" anymore. Well, their duty is to make it fashionable and not bend with the current neo-liberal wind which incidentally is fashionable only with middle-class business-consultant types, Internet-wallahs and white-collar professionals/tradespeople caught up by pro-globalisation and free market arguments.

What better education opportunities and facilities does the DAP propose and what will it do to arrest the decline in the educational system in Malaysia?

What democratic socialist policies does the DAP have for public healthcare? How will it improve and expand the government medical service so people do not have to wait the whole day for treatment? Will it offer old-age pension schemes for all Malaysians? What public housing schemes does it propose?

What are the DAP's policies on the independence of labour unions and their freedom to take industrial action, including strikes? What policies does it have to protect workers against exploitation, unjust and unfair treatment by employers?

What will be its development policies? How will it ensure development while protecting nature, the ecology, the environment, rights of indigenous peoples like the Orang Asli, the Penan, etc?

What are the DAP's policies on women's equality?

Oh yes! Would the DAP restore elected local councils?

A few Saturdays ago, I was stuck in a horrible traffic jam at the end of Jalan Gasing in Petaling Jaya and I blamed the unelected Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ) and the Barisan Nasional government which appointed it for the traffic jam I had to endure.

The same goes for the potholes in Petaling Jaya roads which makes me change my shock absorbers more often than necessary. MPPJ has been talking about replacing roundabouts with flyovers or light-controlled junctions for a while now but nothing has been done.

Will the DAP establish bus routes serving places like Petaling Jaya? At present, if I want to take a bus from Section 14, PJ to adjacent Section 17, I have to get into the KL-SS2 bus, change to the bus going from SS2 to KL, and get off when it passes Section 17.

In an earlier letter to malaysiakini, a writer criticised the DAP for having become a Chinese-centric party, catering mainly to the Chinese language issue and other such concerns of the Chinese community, saying it is thus no different than the MCA.

Well, I too have felt that way about the DAP for several years now and it has become a party jumping on this or that single-issue bandwagon or red herring, hoping to gain political mileage.

For instance, it shouldn't have wasted its time and energy arguing with Mahathir over his "Malaysia is an Islamic country" statement when any idiot can see that - as long as liquor is sold freely in the supermarkets and bars, there's legalised gambling in casinos and on Malaysian-owned cruise ships flying flags of convenience in international waters - Malaysia simply cannot become an Islamic state.

If DAP disagrees with PAS' Islamic state proposal, it should then provide an alternative pole of political attraction, instead of just barking at PAS and others.

The way I see it, only PAS, the Barisan Nasional and the Parti Sosialis Malaysia have established their respective political poles and it's not surprising that PAS gained seats and overtook DAP as the leader of the opposition in the last general elections, while PSM gained votes against MIC chief S. Samy Vellu, despite not wresting Sungei Siput from his grasp.