NEWS ANALYSIS, Aug 22 — The recent developments in the MIC took many by surprise as, after all the war-mongering between rival supporters, the presidential contest has finally fizzled out.

However, the silver lining in this scenario is that the party will remain united and not be plagued by factionalism.

As Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak brokered the peace deal between party chief Datuk Seri G. Palanivel and his deputy, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, many are now drawing parallels with the developments in the MCA.

Some ask if the MIC, the third-largest party in BN, can close ranks and work together in the interest of the party, why can’t the same happen with the MCA?

What is the difference between the two?

While the MIC managed to somewhat keep its support base in the recent general election, the exact opposite happened to the MCA.

The MIC retained the four parliamentary seats it held before the election and proudly declared that Indian support was back with the party.

But the same cannot be said for the MCA as the party lost almost all support from the Chinese community.

It only won a meagre seven parliamentary seats, down from the 15 it held before the polls.

Following the general election, the MIC’s MPs were appointed to the Cabinet but the MCA rejected any government position, in line with a resolution from its general assembly.

It looks like MIC leaders chose a wiser and better path as there will be Indian voices in government.

But the MCA’s decision has started another internal battle which the party can ill-afford.

This was compounded further with MCA chief Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek declaring he will not seek re-election as party chief in the December polls.

His announcement then prodded his deputy, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, to declare he will go for the top post.

However, of late, there have been calls for a no contest in the MCA and also a reasoning that if the MIC can do it, surely the MCA can do so as well.

But an argument of this nature does not hold as the party fared badly in the election. It is time for renewal, which is what the grassroots want.

In the MIC, Dr Subramaniam was seen as a reluctant contestant from the onset even though he never announced it officially.

So he will not have to do much explaining to his supporters now.

But if Liow is forced to back down now, how is he going to answer his growing number of supporters? Won’t he look like a flip-flop and come off as indecisive?

With this in mind, those with any idea of a similar peace brokering should realise it will not work in the MCA as the stakes and scenario are different from the MIC.

While the MIC is trying to consolidate itself, the MCA is fighting for survival and what better way for renewal than to start from the top? 

MCA members should realise the time now is to put aside all animosity and work towards the common good of the community.