I refer to the letter Why Malaysia is 50 years old and not 44 . I have a slight problem with Uncle Yap's arguments vis--vis comparing the formation of Malaysia with the United States of America.

In 1957, our nation was called Malaya and only in 1963 was our nation called Malaysia when we wanted to make our new brothers and sisters in East Malaysia feel more inclusive. However, since 1776, that particular country in North America has always been called the 'United States of America'.

I also do not agree with Uncle Yap's accusation of Sim Kwang Yang being a separatist. The discussion on the two countries' names and dates may only prove that, perhaps, Uncle Yap is being too much of a romantic and Sim a cynic.

However, both of these men are entitled to their opinions. But we must not forget the gist of Sim's real message in his article ; that MCA and Gerakan have focused on servicing their constituents (or as Sim had put it by giving 'political service') while many of the DAP are 'discussing broiling national issues and engage themselves in the larger picture of a bird's eye view' (actually Sim used the term 'fellow Malaysians' and not DAP but I would like to use it for DAP).

I, therefore, must congratulate Sim for highlighting the fact that politics is not always about asking hard questions in Parliament. It is always more about servicing your voters.

The somewhat lack of grassroots activity will not help any political party who wishes to do well in an election.