vox populi big thumbnail ‘Is a merger on the cards, next? If this is so, we are without a doubt moving towards the much coveted two-party system.’

James Low: This is certainly a small step in the right direction. After GE 2008, many are talking about Malaysia moving towards a two-party system. While the BN component parties are licking their wounds in the aftermath and talking about rebuilding their respective communal parties, here the opposition parties are rallying for a more cohesive front.

Is a merger of opposition parties on the cards, next? If this is so, we are without a doubt moving towards a much coveted two-party system. This may spell an end to communal politics once and for all.

With racism in check, we can proudly claim that diversity is our strength. Better still, if a definition can be given to the much talked about Bangsa Malaysia. We can forge ahead with one agenda - the Malaysian agenda with one identity to take on the world at large.

Tan Soo Huat: PKR-DAP-PAS have proposed to form a formal coalition, well done. But before they proceed, please look at the relevant laws governing the formation of political parties, classified as coalition, like the one adopted by Barisan Nasional. Like it or not, if I am not wrong, it requires at least seven individual parties to form a coalition.

Pakatan Rakyat or Barisan Rakyat whichever way it is called must increase its membership otherwise the current laws say nothing can be done. There so many lawyers in the opposition camp, please look at the law. Otherwise the rakyat will laugh at Pakatan Rakyat before it is even formed.

Pakatan Rakyat strives to be an alternative government to BN, therefore it is their duty to do things carefully. Do not turn around and tell the rakyat and blame the law, as if the laws (Society Act 1966) was enacted yesterday.

Dhammika: It is indeed a dream come true to see the informal merging of the three main opposition parties into one coalition that garners more strength. Let the birth of this new coalition move forth to capture the federal government and keep governing for the next 50 years.

The people want back the freedom they enjoyed during Tunku’s era and they want to do away with draconian laws like the ISA, OSA, PPPA, Auku etc.

The main issue is, of course, corruption, so please bring to book all the corrupted ministers and get them convicted. Recover all the national money that wasted illegally taken as this was money for the development of all Malaysians. Do this quick before they ship out their wealth.

A Ray of Hope: I am of the opinion that this PR coalition is workable and I hope it can be formalised by DAP-PKR-PAS. From a cursory look, PAS may be an obstacle in forming this PR coalition due to its Islamic base ideology as the DAP would strongly disagree to forming an Islamic state.

But at a second look, PAS is really not as 'extreme' as what we perceived so far. Just ask ourselves, if PAS is really so 'extreme'? Why then is it’s support getting stronger and stronger in Kelantan? Why are non-Muslim voters supportive of its policies in Kelantan so far?

So, if this PR coalition comes true, we can see 'anchor governments' all over Malaysia from the PKR-DAP-PAS combination and other parties which join PR. But, what I want to see is a PR coalition that is truly multiracial. Whoever becomes PM, MB, CM, MP or Adun is not important. He or she must be a true Malaysian.

Sarajun Hoda: This is great news. Except that the stumbling blocks may be Hadi Awang of PAS and Karpal Singh of DAP who can’t see eye-to-eye on PAS’ Islamic state issue.

Now that they have made a colossal policy shift to accommodate each another and work along honestly, Malaysians should celebrate. It is a dream come true because BN is now a spent force. BN is slowly sinking and will probably disappear from the radar within three months.

The earlier Pakatan Rakyat is ready to rule the better. Careful though. Till then, BN will use all its fading might, especially the media, to expose issues that might divide PR leaders. So PR leaders now basking in the limelight due to their new-found popularity, beware - do not trust the story spinners in the mainstream media.

Saiful Bahri Zakaria Seman: Pakatan Rakyat is a bad name.What should we call it for short? PR or Para or Payat? Not catchy enough and stands as a dead word or a black-letter word that has no significance. ‘Pakatan’ merely shows that its a coalition.

I have a better one here - Angkatan Rakyat and we can call it Akar for short. At least it can create some kind of imagination to signify the roots of the people's force as well as the people's will.

Angkatan also shows that the coalition is more than a reform force and is one that couldtopple the BN in the future. It is sad that the three parties have failed to involve the people in naming the coalition. At least have a contest so the people can give their suggestions.

Pakat is very negative if you understand Malay at a grassroots level . Pakatan normally means something very secretive and mischievous .

Change for the Better: Yes, Barisan Rakyat definitely sounds better than Pakatan Rakyat

Yow Lop Siaw: The idea of getting all the Barisan Rakyat to unite into a single party is indeed great. With this structure into a single entity, powered by a set of common goals, the five states that are now under their rule could see more uniformity and consistency, which will in turn project a much better image to the voters.

Instead of using Pakatan or Angkatan, why not just call it simply Parti Rakyat - implying that it belongs to the rakyat . I am all for this formation and once formalised, what is of paramount importance is to work hard together towards a common goal - a government of the people, for the people and by the people.

TC8888: Now that Pakatan is formed, I hope and pray that it will stay and become more relevant and force BN into becoming a strong opposition for the next 40 years. What was ailing in the BN was that although it is a coalition of some 13 parties, it is Umno which calls the shots.

This is not what power-sharing in BN is all about. In the old Alliance there was consultation. When Umano said sit, MCA and MIC voiced their stand and tried to reason, but eventually still satt. With the BN, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PBS now, they not dare even say a word or blink an eye. They immediately sit down, very still and very quiet with their eyes cast down.

Carolynk: Pakatan Rakyat can be known as ‘Pakar’ for short. Angkatan Rakyat sounds too much like the FRU.

Richard Kamalanathan: Anwar Ibrahim has now become the most influential king-maker in the country. His role is one of bringing together the social democrats and Islamists together with the reformists in PKR. The proposal to form Pakatan Rakyat and to woo some of the dominant parties in the BN coalition to cross over is no easy task. The olive branch must be both a sign of solidarity and compatriot-ship.

Mano Maniam: I am 54 now and I will rest in peace if this is realised.

Shinn: If the component parties are really serious in forming a party for all Malaysians then the issue of race and religion must not be in any of the agenda. The constitution provides for the freedom of religion for all Malaysian. So uphold this right and make sure that no one is victimised in the name of religion.

We still see and hear PKR, DAP and PAS members questioning the respective excos in terms of racial representation. If they truly believe that we are all Malaysians, then only the best candidate should hold the exco position regardless of his or her ethnic background. Don’t say we represent all Malaysians and then question again why the racial composition is not adhered to. This may sound idealistic but it is the only way forward for a New Malaysian mindset. Start practicing what you preach as leaders of change.

I would like to see Pakatan Rakyat formation to truly represent all Malaysians. Congratulations and uphold the expectation of all Malaysians.

Dr Sulaiman Masri: Dengan sukacitanya, saya merujuk istilah ‘Pakatan Rakyat’ yang menggabungkan tiga parti - PAS, DAP, PKR - yang kini menubuhkan kerajaan di lima negeri, dan termasuk menguasai Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.

Saya mencadangkan agar dipilih satu nama khas daripada lima istilah berikut bagi menggantikan ‘Pakatan Rakyat’ yang nampaknya kini ingin diguna pakai secara meluas (?).

Pakatan Rakyat Malaysia

Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Malaysia

Parti Rakyat Se-Malaysia

Parti Malaysia Bersatu; atau,

Barisan Perpaduan Rakyat Malaysia

Dalam Kamus Dewan Edisi Keempat (2005), kata ‘pakatan’ (ms 1117), bermaksud, ‘perjanjian’ atau ‘persekutuan’ yang bermaksud jahat, atau komplot.

Sedangkan istilah ‘parti’, iaitu ‘parti politik’ ( Kamus Dewan , ms 1142), bermaksud ‘satu golongan (kumpulan) orang yang bergerak untuk tujuan atau dasar (dll) yang sama dalam politik’. Kata ‘barisan’ (ms 132) pula bermaksud ‘pasukan’.

Berdasarkan, huraian tersebut, kata ‘parti’ lebih tepat dan kukuh makna atau maksudnya, berbanding dengan makna kata ‘pakatan’ atau kata ‘barisan’.

Menggabungkan kata ‘parti’ dengan ‘Malaysia’ pula (misalnya, ‘Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Malaysia’) dapat memantapkan dan ‘mengukuhkan’ gabungan tiga parti tersebut. Malah, parti gabungan ini sedia terbuka kepada parti-parti lain yang ingin bergabung menjadi gabungan parti yang lebih besar.

Fergus Ong: From a purely semantic point of view, I think ‘Pakatan Rakyat’ is a poor name. I agree with Dr Sulaiman Masri, who pointed out the negative connotations associated with the word ‘ pakat ’. For laymen, a few people who pakat together are usually up to no good. Anwar and his band of leaders should get their branding fixed, because ‘Pakatan Rakyat’ as a name is definitely a step-down from ‘Barisan Rakyat"’.

Kelvin: Congratulations on your good showing on the just concluded election. Let this be your first step to get rid off all the draconian rules and race politics used by BN to suppress the rakyat. To date, the BN has yet to listen and show respect to the voice of the rakyat . If they still refuse to correct their ways, the next election, they will be wiped out from power.

In my opinion, the word pakatan should not be used because it denotes an intention to forge a scheme among the parties concerned. Which means that this ‘Pakatan’ was not born naturally. I would go for the word parti or anything similar to that.