MCA's forthcoming party elections are generating interest, not only among members, but among non-members too. Being the second largest coalition party in the Barisan Nasional, incumbent winners of senior party posts will remain as ministers, deputy ministers or parliamentary secretaries. New victors are likely to replace the losers in government positions.

The fact that all positions can be contested is most welcome. Chua Jui Meng's announcement that he is taking on Ong Ka Ting for the president's post is a good sign that there are other capable leaders willing to take the risk and offer different approaches and styles of leadership.

Many believe the Ong-Chan Kong Choy (deputy president) leadership was a compromise under the dictates of Dr Mahathir Mohamad. What is important now is a fair election to allow MCA delegates to choose their own leaders.

And since Chua's announcement, one after another of the MCA state leaders have given press statements in support of the Ong-Chan leadership.

Though Ong has commented that Chua is entitled to contest the MCA being democratic, he should have discouraged the state leaders from making press statements in support of the present leadership.

What we are witnessing now is the usual show of support by state leaders. Though they should have the freedom of speech, they should only speak for themselves and not as state leaders. Did they hold state meetings specifically to gauge support?

If not, then their meaningless statements are most unfair to challengers. The incumbents already have the unfair advantage of position and a bias press. Next, we are likely to hear the presidents of various organisations and associations pledging support for the present leadership.

We are often told that contests for top positions will divide the party. What rubbish! In a true democracy, contests show that there are other leaders who are willing to lead and who are confident of taking on responsibilities. Differences in opinions are healthy and they should be expected and encouraged.

The main problem with our political leaders and the system they are in is that any show of support will be noted and rewarded. Those who challenge and lose, meanwhile, together with their supporters, will lose their positions and privileges.

A clean and fair election with no retribution after it is over will be beneficial and not divide the party. May the best man win.