Flip through the newspapers, switch on your TV sets, go on the internet, listen to speeches of politicians on both sides of the divide and inevitably, you will hear and read about the PKFZ debacle and the MCA's Ong-Chua confrontation.

The results of the 12th general election ushered in a new political landscape. Component parties in BN have woken up, and are pursuing a reform agenda.

These have brought new challenges - one of which is that the executive branch of our government cannot ignore the people's call for justice.

And the true meaning of justice is nothing more than fairplay and doing what is right.

It is in this context that MCA president Ong Tee Keat is adamant that he is doing the right thing in instructing PKA to do a comprehensive audit and to make public the said audit.

Unmistakenly he did it - in the interest of the people in the belief that the truth must prevail.

He stressed that MCA as a party was never involved nor benefitted from the PKFZ controversy. If any individual from the MCA was involved, it is in his/her personal capacity.

Those involved must then be subjected to public scrutiny and investigations by the authorities concerned.

However, much to his dismay, certain individuals or parties involved in this debacle, who are party outsiders, are pulling together their monetary resources to subvert the party and are attempting to oust the president.

Ong is determined to put his political career on line to resist this subversion and attempt to bring the party to ruins. Revelations from the PcW report have made Malaysians feel utterly betrayed.

Malaysians, smarting at the PKFZ fiasco, are now awaiting as to when the officials and suppliers who have flouted the law and the proper procedures would be hauled up and charged.

There is massive support for the president to keep to his promise of transparency and zero tolerance for corruption and mismanagement.

Sadly, deputy president Chua Soi Lek thinks otherwise. He has been reported to have said, interalia, "Ong is attempting to play a heroic underdog over the PKFZ scandal" and "Painting a scenerio of himself as a party president under seige".

The remarks are uncalled for and mischievious, especially at a time when the party is moving forwards and embarking on a reform agenda of change and to stay relevent.

Chua cannot ignore the voice of public opinion. To ignore will be to his own peril.

Chua being summoned to answer charges before the MCA disciplinary board for allegations and complaints against him over his alleged sexual proclivities in a much publicised DVD video.

It is contended that Chua has already paid the price when he quit all posts. The more he is attacked the more sympathy he gets and he is using it against the party by playing the victim.

Surely Chua cannot expect the party to close one eye. He must accept the reality of the disciplinary tenets enshrined in the MCA constitution.

As a political party, the MCA cannot stand in the way of justice. Neither should it choose to keep mum. Justice must not only be done but seen to be done.

Natural justice allows a person who is affected by a decision a right to be heard. Chua shall have his day before the disciplinary board to say his piece on Aug 8.

There had been reports that the police were investigating the DVD video scandal and a charge will be preferred. This comes at a time when the public is perceiving that the police and the prosecuting authorities are unfair and selective in taking action.

It is critical that the law be applied even-handedly or else people may think there are double-standards. Worse still, people may lose faith in the government with a strong suspicion that it is protecting the powerful. Needless to say, we must respect the Rule of Law.

On another issue of the Batu Pahat health clinic land scam, Chua claimed that his Ministry of Health (MOH) office was not involved in the decision making process and therefore he is not involved.

Be that as it may, the question is: Was there an abuse of information obtained in public office for pecuniary interest?

A minister's office has access to information as confidential reports are submitted to ministers. Are the public being hoodwinked into believe that the MOH office is not involved in the decision making process of this clinic land?

There are also widespread rumours that Chua may be instigating support for an EGM. Even if that happens, he can't get the votes to oust the president. He knows that when you hold public office, you have to measure yourself against high moral standards.

He knows too, there is a difference between acceptance by the party and the public. He was elected by the MCA delegates who do not represent the people. So basically, Chua's self-fulfilling prophesy of the EGM drive is merely a red herring.

However, there are also rumours that the actual aim of the EGM drive is to create a leadership crisis in MCA and to invite Umno to come and meddle in its internal affairs.

An online news portal had mischievously alleged that PM Najib had hit the roof on hearing that Chua is being hauled up to appear before the MCA disciplinary board.

Deputy PM Tan Sri Muhyuddin had categorically stated that BN will not interfere in the internal affairs of its component parties.

The future and the image of MCA is at stake. The issues involve fundamental questions of party unity and party survival. The members and leaders should not be cowed or intimidated.

Party leaders are not appointed to be 'yes men' or be brow beaten into silence or to surrender objectives and principles and to betray the trust and confidence which our members put on them when they are elected into party or public office.

No leader with self respect will allow this political blackmail to deter from saying or doing what he believes in. Important party matters cannot be swept under the carpet.

MCA is mature enough to confront problems squarely in the face. Outsiders should never be allowed to interfere in MCA's internal affairs.

To avoid suspicion, it is would be good if Prime Minister Najib comes out with a clear statement to debunk the mischievous and unsubstantiated allegations made in the online portal.