opinion One thing that stands out from the Indera Kayangan results is the apparent increase in support for the opposition among Chinese Malaysian voters.

This phenomenon is of great significance, for it shows that, despite Barisan Nasional's incessant attempts to tie Keadilan's association with PAS with support for a 'Taliban' state, more Chinese Malaysians are ready to vote for a predominantly Malay multiracial party like Keadilan.

On the other hand, Keadilan could have put up a better show if circumstances have not magnified their woes. The split with pro-Abim (Malaysian Muslim Youth Association) members was too recent not to have a devastating effect among Malay voters.

Further, the newly-formed leadership hardly had the time to settle down when the by-election emerged. The time factor was aggravated not only because BN, as usual, got a headstart with the government-controlled mass media to heap malicious propaganda upon the opposition, but also because of the short period allocated for campaigning by the Election Commission.

In the past, Keadilan made a mistake in focusing only on the Anwar Ibrahim issue, thus giving the impression that it was a one-issue party. Recently, the pendulum appears to have swung to the other side - Anwar is hardly mentioned at all. This is a big mistake, for those who hate injustice are not motivated to rally around the party.

BN is much more prescient about this matter, which could be why the Jan 11 Anwar trial was postponed until February, that is, until after the by-election is over.

Three views on Anwar issue

The non-Malays, particularly the Chinese, view the Anwar issue in at least three different ways. The younger, more intellectual types tend to be outraged by the way the former DPM was treated, and they see the imprisonment of Anwar as a sign of all that is wrong with the government.

The older generation, used to the divide-and-rule racial politics of the country, often regard Anwar as just another Umno man who had fallen out of favour with his boss and that, at any rate, this is an intra-Malay quarrel and other communities should leave it as such.

Then there is the MCA type whose sole aim in politics is to side with the winning Malay leader so that their property could be protected.

Needless to say, Keadilan can hardly expect any vote from the MCA type, nor can it expect to make much inroad with the older generation on the Anwar issue.

But the issue can still find resonance among younger, better educated non-Malays. On the whole, it appears that the Anwar issue will gain more votes than lose even among the non-Malays. What is important is that it is presented as one of the issues and not the only issue.

As for the Malays, the mistreatment of Anwar must remain a very sore point. As malaysiakini columnist MGG Pillai often pointed out, the Malay cultural instinct allows for the killing of an enemy, but it will not tolerate the shaming of that enemy. What the government did to Anwar would never be forgotten by the Malays unless the matter is brought to a satisfactory conclusion, and unless Keadilan is unwise enough to drop it from its anti-BN arsenal, as it seems to have done at Indera Kayangan.

Keadilan's loss at Indera Kayangan, therefore, was caused more by its own weaknesses, such as party infighting and lack of a sound strategy, than by any intrinsic BN strength. The election also did not affect PAS, as that party did not appear to make a real effort to support its besieged ally.

War to come

Indera Kayangan, however, is just a skirmish: it is not a battle, much less a war. When the war or the 2004 general elections arrive, BN will be facing a completely different set of circumstances because, first, it is not possible for them to concentrate all their resources on one particular area, nor can it continue making its "Taliban state" propaganda without alienating traditional Muslim areas.

It is very likely, in fact, that Umno will not only tone down its "Taliban state" rhetoric, but even try to out-Islamise PAS. If this happens, then the urban non-Muslim votes will go to Keadilan and DAP. Keadilan will have an advantage in mixed areas where both Malay and Chinese votes are essential.

The Malays must again be reminded of the Anwar issue and the issue of social justice in general. Chinese education and mother-tongue issues will be big factors then, for there will be more time for minorities to digest the situation, to see more clearly the gradual disappearance of their language and culture, and to realise the importance of checks and balances in a democratic society.

It is also likely that DAP will gain seats, at MCA's expense, in most predominantly-Chinese areas. DAP's attraction, however, lies not only in its differences with MCA, but also with Gerakan.

If the public were to see DAP as just another Gerakan, that is, as a party that aims at merely being the "conscience" of the ruling party, a mass exodus of most left-inclined voters can be expected (this happened to the People's Progressive Party when it joined BN). It is unlikely, however, that leaders such as Lim Kit Siang will allow the party to drift so much to the right.

As stated earlier, Keadilan's break with the pro-Abim group had obviously hurt the party. Yet in the long run, it is perhaps for the best, for a truly multiracial party should not be influenced too much by any religion.

It should have been possible, however, for Keadilan to part amicably with the pro-Abim group, rather than with the kind of heated exchanges that the public had seen for the last few weeks. Still, what is past is past, and the present multiracial leadership appear to have their hearts in the right place.

1,687 heroes

One more thing needs to be mentioned: the Indera Kayangan by-election has seen some of the fiercest, most unethical, concentrated venom ever spouted by BN on any opposition party.

It was a no-holds-barred campaign by BN, and it's quite apparent that the riot squads and other security forces were there not merely to keep the peace, but also to intimidate supporters of the opposition.

Seen in this light, those who voted for the opposition were no ordinary voters: they were heroes blazing the path to a more equal and just society. Just one hero from such a small place should be enough. To see one thousand six hundred and eighty-seven heroes marching to the ballot box is a miracle.

So for those in that party who are fighting the unequal fight for a better Malaysia, I say: You might make mistakes, but final victory is yours. Stay the course and your day will come.

L CHUAH is a self-proclaimed literature hog interested in applying a multi-disciplinary approach to world affairs.