I refer to Dr WC Yap's letter headlined Bravo, Gerakan; buck up, MCA

. There is no doubt that Gerakan has spoken loudly against Umno's proposal to teach Science and Mathematics in English in primary schools next year. But as a matter of fact, it was MCA which initiated the opposition. Gerakan only followed the footsteps of MCA.

It is wrong to assume that MCA is no more interested in the issue just because it is keeping silent for a while. MCA believes in action behind the scenes rather than making noise without coming to a fruitful end. MCA has a nationwide network. It can explain the issue to its grassroots supporters. Numbers and organisation, not the volume of noise, is the ultimate decider.

However, I concur with the writer that DAP has not been vocal in the opposition to Umno's proposal. It seems that DAP is no longer the party it used to be earlier, namely a vocal party that champions the cause of mother tongue education.

It is ironic that it is now the Malay opposition parties like PAS and Keadilan which have replaced the tradition role and function of DAP in championing Chinese and Tamil education. In a sense, it shows the maturity of PAS and Keadilan.

That PAS and Keadilan are now more vocal than DAP on an issue affecting most of the Chinese and Indian working classes suggests that DAP has reached a point where it has abandoned its core supporters but is shy or hesitant of becoming an ally of Umno. DAP is now facing a serious crisis of political identity.

The crisis can best be expressed by a question: What is DAP?