The legitimacy of the MCA in the eyes of the Malay ruling elite from independence until now at least - resides in their role as a crucial partner in representing the voice and the interests of the Chinese in Peninsular Malaysia, within the framework of the mythical "social contract".

In that context, Umno needs MCA, no matter how badly the party does at the poll at any one time, to prop up the faade of multiracial coalition politics based on power sharing between the races. Subscribers to this narrative would point out the importance of the survival of MCA, by observing that in 1969, after MCA had suffered horrendous losses at the hands of the opposition coalition and withdrawn from the Alliance, there was May 13 shortly afterwards.

Against successive onslaught from the DAP in consecutive elections, the MCA has always survived reasonably well by calling for Chinese unity under their banner. The more seats they have, the stronger they are in negotiating for the rights and interests of the Chinese voters. So they say.