MCA cries for help! Khairy giggles underneath!

Is it Dong Jiao Zhong that wants to meet UMNO Youth, or, MCA wants UMNO Youth to meet Dong Jiao Zhong, or UMNO Youth wants to meet Dong Jiao Zhong?

But the headlines in The Star reads:

MCA ready to help Umno and Dong Jiao Zhong meet

According to The Star report, MCA is willing to arrange for a meeting between Dong Jiao Zhong (the coalition of the Chinese school committees and school teachers associations) and Umno,.

“If we can arrange this meeting, Dong Jiao Zhong would have a better understanding of MCA’s role in the development of Chinese education,” said MCA secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan. “It is good to know Dong Jiao Zhong wants to meet Umno," said MCA secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan.

In a separate article, The Star reported that MCA Youth chief Liow Tiong Lai said:

MCA Youth can be bridge between Hisham and association

According to Liow, MCA Youth is willing to be the 'middleman' to arrange a meeting between the Education Ministry and Dong Jiao Zong to discuss matters relating to the development of Chinese schools. Liow Tiong Lai said the association wanted to bring to Hishammuddin’s attention the issues of Chinese education.

“Therefore we can become the bridge between both parties."

“We are happy that Hishammuddin is willing to meet any party that wishes to have talks with him. This shows that he (Hishammuddin) is open-minded,” Liow said.

Hishammuddin, who attended the function, said he had no problems meeting the association.

“There is no need to go through the media if they want to meet me. If their intentions are sincere, we will meet. No need to make a big hoo-hah in the newspapers,” Hishamuddin added.

The NST reported that: Talk offer from UMNO Youth

So, was the talk offered from UMNO Youth or accepted by UMNO Youth due to the persuasion by MCA, or was it the idea originated from Dong Jiao Zhong that wanted to meet Hishamuddin?

It is clear that the general election is definitely near and MCA knew that they could and would lose most of their seats except those seats where the Malays form a substantial votes.

There is no reason for Dong Jiao Zhong to meet Hishamuddin as whatever discussed between them will not have any substantive effect on the governmental policies and UMNO policies. There is always a Khairy around to burn down the Chinese Assembly Hall if they tried to be funny. Khairy had threatened them before and there is no reason he won't do it again as he needed to use racial divisions to enhance his political career to propel him up there. Khairy had to go for the DPM post and he has to make sure he secured substantial grassroot support.

MCA is certainly desperate and Hishamuddin is the only wildcard left. There is no way Khairy will be prepared to be seen as compromising, for without the Malay Agenda, Khairy will only be a passenger in UMNO once Pak Lah retires. In UMNO, once you retire, no matter what you had contributed to the party or the nation, you become irrelevant as can be seen from the testimony of Mahathir.

Mahathir had led UMNO for close to 3-decades and ruled the nation as it's PM for 22 years; yet, once he retired, he even lose out to be elected to be a delegate to the UMNO general assembly. What a shame. It's not "Melayu mudah lupa"; it's about going with the wind of change and flowing and rowing with the power that is, not was. UMNO members and aspirants needed projects and handouts to survive and prosper. Money and wealth is far more important that religion and values. They can sell and buy, as long as the handout is maintained. That's why NEP is necessary, for, should any leaders try to withdraw the NEP, he would become yesterday PM or CM.

As for MCA, their survival depends entirely upon UMNO. The Chinese may support them but can turn their back on them, equally as fast. That's why you can observe that more than 50% of the seats held by MCA are those that have at least 40-50% Malay voters. The Chinese majority seats are traditionally DAPs, by default; not because DAP had served their duties efficiently or effectively, but because there is no other alternative.

The fact that the internet and the bloggers are now the "main" source of "reliable" information for the general public, it do seem that the wind of change is blowing resolutely. The public is fed up with the spinning by the main media and they had become untrusted source. That's why many are turning to alternative media source. MalaysiaKini are too commercialised and would not enjoy readership of the greater mass. Bloggers' news are free and easily accessible and at the same time, they can spread news like wild fire. The super news about CobraSultan and Airforce A319 plane issues are examples. Malaysia-Today is another major force for the public. If MalaysiaKini would reduce their subscription to affordable levels for the general public, particularly for those below 25-year-old, they could garner more members.

Could MCA become irrelevant? Would Gerakan face the same fate?

The chances is MCA may lose big and Gerakan lose some. MIC may be more confident to retain their status quo. The beneficiary would be DAP and PKR. PAS may gain in Trengganu and Kelantan, and no where. But if Mahathir decides to back the opposition, it could draw away substantial support away from UMNO and benefit Anwar. That's the paranoia that Mahathir face.