So far there has been a lot of talk by Keadilan leaders in trying to assure the members that the merger with PRM will not affect Keadilan.

From the results of the vote yesterday, it would seem that this is true - not only did they fail to secure the two-thirds majority necessary to change the party's name to Parti Keadilan Rakyat Nasional, no trace of PRM's presence will be visible on the flag. One wonders whether this is symbolic of the future role ex-PRM members will play in Keadilan.

The debate has centered around Keadilan, but what of the other side to the story? I would like to know what, exactly, does PRM expect to gain from the merger with Keadilan. What is likely to happen if the Keadilan-PRM merger actually goes through?

I'm sure that malaysiakini could find among its talented team of writers someone who can provide an honest analysis of the merger. As a student living in Melbourne, malaysiakini is my sole source of non-government-controlled political news.

I'm rather disappointed by the coverage on the Keadilan-PRM merger. Personally, I think an unflinching look at all the political parties in Malaysia is needed, be they from Barisan Nasional or Barisan Alternatif.