I refer to the Malaysiakini report Muhyiddin reveals 7-day mission to fix MCA.

The ongoing tussle and bustle in MCA may have all the ingredients of a show of force by some leaders and their insatiable appetite for power and control. Most of all, it show the collapse of a party which has not taken in its poor results at the last general election seriously.

It may also seem that their internal squabbling might finally lead to the demise of the party.

However, what is currently happening in MCA, as I see it, is a healthy clash of the old order and the new to bring about changes to keep up with the times and expectations of a community more advanced and widely-knowledgeable today.

MCA members have began to realise that aping the old system of loyalty without question is no longer practical and acceptable. Changes have to occur right now if the party has any hope of survival. The heyday of 'your bid is my command' is history.

Umno may look at what is happening in MCA as something worrying and troublesome as same thing could also happen to its own party. Consequently, it has to act fast to help resolve the internal tensions and struggles in MCA.

Chinese support is seen as paramount to the future well-being of the BN coalition and thus every effort will be made and no stone left unturned by the leader of BN to mediate and assist MCA to settle all the skirmishes within its ranks soon.

A resolution has to be reached soon in MCA for otherwise it may give full credence to the popular perception of today that race-based parties are no more relevant. What may turn out to be a ‘healthy and free’ competition in MCA, if prolonged, could well end up the ruin of the party.

One sure way to decide is to have fresh party elections without delay. Let the members select whom they favour to lead and helm the party.

The party elections must be seen to be fair and clean without any intimidation, buying of votes or rigging of votes to gain the upper hand. After all, it is a matter of survival and for the redemption of lost support so the stakes are very high. The polls must be handled in a very transparent accountable manner.

This may be the biggest test or challenge to MCA to prove its worth and still be a force to be reckoned with.

If the cards are played right, then it may turn out to be a winning game for MCA with a stronger and a more dedicated and astute team of leaders to serve the community.

It would be a pity to see MCA fading into the twilight zone after having contributed a lot to society, irrespective of race or religion.

Alas, same cannot be said of MIC whose greed and craving for power far exceeds its service to a community facing many challenges and difficulties trying to cope with the changing times.