I agree with KMY (' DAP's decision a shame

', Jan 8) that the Indera Kayangan by-election is crucial to the vernacular education cause, not only for Chinese Malaysians but also Indian Malaysians.

For years, promises have been made and broken by Barisan Nasional to improve the Chinese and Tamil education systems. It is time supporters of mother tongue education teach Barisan Nasional a lesson in Indera Kayangan by helping the opposition to win.

It has nothing to do with abstract and scholarly conceptual ideas like 'secularism' or 'theocracy'. It is about earthly matters here and now.

DAP's decision, seen in this perspective, is very regrettable. It shows that it has abandoned its traditional supporters on the ground who are mostly vernacular-educated working class people. But since it has made the decision, let us show our support to other opposition parties which are sympathetic to our cause.