Since DAP has been giving so many problems to PAS, Keadilan and PRM, I think the time has come for Barisan Alternatif to seriously consider expelling the party from the coalition.

Many times, DAP, especially Dr Chen Man Hin, Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh have attacked a component party of BA in the BN-controlled media over some petty inter-party and intra-coalition issues.

Before that, DAP also used Barisan Nasional-controlled media to attack PAS and belittle PRM.

PAS, Keadilan and PRM have been too kind and generous to DAP even though it has proven to be incapable of delivering its share of votes to BA in the last general elections and Lunas by-elections. The strategic question to be addressed is whether DAP is still that important to be tolerated at all costs by other component parties of BA.

From Lunas, we can in fact discern two significant points:

One, DAP has actually no grassroots strength and the organisation to help deliver votes to BA, as it had no branch in the constituency when it shamelessly ask for the seat; and

Two, and more importantly, Keadilan and PRM could in fact mobilise non-Malay, especially Chinese, votes and other forms of support for BA, without DAP.

Why should BA be endlessly troubled by the destructive insolence and impotence of DAP? If DAP is careless of the larger interest, why should BA be so careful about DAP's participation? All good relationships have to be reciprocal.

Expelling DAP from BA also gives more opportunities and space to younger, more sincere and capable members and leaders of Keadilan and PRM to make their debut in the coming general elections. BA could then field its own non-Malay candidates in constituencies like Kepong, Seputeh, PJ Utara, Bukit Mertajam, Ipoh Timor and Ipoh Barat. With Malay/Muslim support remains solidly behind BA in these constituencies, the chances are good for them to win. Even if they cannot make it the first time, it gives hope for the long-term struggle to build a less chauvinistic, Islam-phobic and racial Malaysia.

On the contrary, if DAP remains in BA, behaving badly and only causing troubles and resentment, or claiming credit for others' achievements, then the others' time and energy would be wasted.

It also tarnishes the image, morale and single-mindedness of BA and its supporters. In the end, not only DAP loses, PAS, Keadilan and PRM would be dragged down, too. Only BN and Dr Mahathir Mohamad would win in this situation. In this sense, DAP is indirectly helping Mahathir to weaken the opposition front.

Make no mistake. It is DAP which survives on the support bases of PAS and Keadilan. While Keadilan or PRM can attract additional Chinese support for BA, DAP can never do the same in terms of additional Malay votes. In fact, it was PAS and Keadilan that saved DAP in the last general elections, and not the other way round as claimed by Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh.

Expelling DAP from BA does not, however, mean that BA would reject all DAP leaders and members. On the contrary, BA will have to welcome good and sincere DAP leaders, members and supporters through Keadilan and PRM. BA needs all sincere and talented non-Malay leaders to join it in the great struggle against a corrupt regime. It does not matter if they come from DAP, MCA, Gerakan, MIC or Umno as long as they subscribe to a new political culture.

Let Chen Man Hin, Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh join BN, or face a prospect of a three-corner fight in the coming general elections. The sectarian opportunism of a clique of DAP leaders is like a cancerous disease inside the body of BA. BA has to be firm and resolute enough at this moment to perform a painful but necessary surgery. We have enough time to recover from any negative effects and grow healthier, because the next elections will be only in 2004.

Otherwise, if the cancer is allowed to develop and grow, BA's future is bleak, for its supporters would be confused, demoralised and fatigued by the endless and shameless sandiwara of Lim Kit Siang and DAP.