Again, the leadership of DAP has chosen to pick fights with PAS openly. This time it also tries to drag Keadilan and PRM into the fray as evidenced by Karpal Singh's statement that Keadilan and PRM have not objected the so-called "Islamic State" advocated by PAS.

Keadilan deputy president, Dr.Chandra Muzaffar has already pointed out that there was no discussion in BA on the setting up of an "Islamic State".

In my judgement, DAP is merely finding an excuse to withdraw from BA for fear of a combined Keadilan-PRM force backed up by PAS. The merger of Keadilan and PRM, not PAS, is the real threat to DAP. Let me elaborate.

Both Keadilan and PRM are multi-ethnic, secular and progressive parties acceptable to the Chinese and non-Malays in general, although they are still Malay-predominated. These two parties, one mass-based and the other one, intellectual-based are open to Chinese and non-Malays.

If combined, Keadilan and PRM can carve a niche in DAP's traditional Chinese-predominated constituencies. The Lunas by-election result has shown that, without DAP, Chinese could be mobilised to vote against Barisan Nasional ( BN) through Keadilan, PRM and their network of Chinese supporters and sympathisers.

Without mass base and strong organisation, DAP can only hope to play on Chinese's and non-Muslims' fear and phobia. It now sees the trend of the Chinese swing against BN and so thinks it is time to do it alone and obtain maximum benefit from the hard work of others.

How do we explain the bad relation of DAP not only with PAS, but also Keadilan and PRM? Why did Karpal attack not only PAS but also Keadilan and PRM consistently?

The Chinese must not be fooled by Karpal Singh anymore. While we should continue to reject Umno, MCA, Gerakan and the BN, Chinese dissent must be channeled through the genuinely multi-ethnic opposition of Keadilan-PRM that can challenge Umno-MCA in the centre. The old era of Chinese opposition is over.

In the 21st century, the Chinese must be Malaysian enough to support multi-ethnic opposition Otherwise, support for the opposition would not see any substantial change.

As I personally see it, Keadilan, PRM and PAS must decide now whether to keep the troublesome DAP in Barisan Alternatif (BA). Expel it now to unload the liability once and for all. BA cannot afford to be troubled by irresponsible and self-centered heroes of the yesteryear.