History judges leaders on their handling of national interests, not on their emotional touch. Kudos to PM Najib for taking on his detractors and declaring a hands-off approach to MCA's decision to sack Chua Soi Lek.

He said the decision to expel Chua was 'within the rights' and purview of the MCA presidential council and the MCA president.

He also dismissed rumours and speculations that he had called on Ong to reconsider the decision to sack Chua.

These firm statements speak volumes of this statesman, who reached the apex of political power through his own effort, intelligence, merit, courage and political savvy.

Najib's message is very clear. He had on occasions said: "Regardless of who is around me, regardless of how many are around me or from where they hail, the important thing is that the buck stops here.

"I have the final word and the final word will be mine alone to make. I'm the one shouldering the responsibility and I intend to honour that."

Najib on becoming prime minister expounded his 1Malaysia vision, wherein the potentials of the younger generation, as inheritors of this nation would be developed to its highest potential.

And certainly it is submitted, he would not want to burden our future generation with billions worth of debt that could arise from the PKFZ financial fiasco.

His team will be ‘putting people first and prioritising achievement'. And this is indeed a great prospect for ‘fresh' politics. It is a chance for Najib to deliver ‘the freshness' that so many Malaysians look for in him.

He has internalised the significance of Malaysia's political history.

MCA has been working with Umno since the 1940s. MCA became partner in Perikatan - a coalition that has been nurtured by our former Prime Ministers including his own father, Tun Abdul Razak.

Perikatan has evolved into what it is today - Barisan Nasional.

BN's component parties have always respected each other. Our prime minister, by making the above declaration of non interference, showcased respect for the component parties.

Just as Umno is undergoing its re-invention, MCA is travelling the same road. Part of the re-invention involved a cleaning up process to rebrand MCA and BN into a cleaner image.

In this respect, the president of MCA is committed to rid of the baneful contaminating agents that are ravaging the MCA body politic.

One such contaminating agent is its deputy president's DVD sex scandal.

As illustrated in the recent Permatang Pasir by-election, a tainted background, professional and/or personal in the character of an election candidate such as Rohaizat Othman, is a liability to Umno/ BN.

The opposition capitalised on these character flaws incessantly in the by-election ceramahs. BN found to its horror, these character assassinations simply cannot be wished away.

BN in its defeat must learn that anyone who closes his eyes to the past is blind to the present. It is now generally acknowledged that BN cannot afford to have tainted personalities in its leadership.

As to the PKFZ debacle, public perception is that MCA is seen to be the party most 'associated' with this mother of all financial scandals

The MCA president is committed to sort out the PKFZ financial fiasco. In so doing, he is bringing back a crescendo of credibility to the MCA.

The government needs to be seen to lend full weight to the MCA president. I'm confident PM Najib in his wisdom will not let Ong Tee Keat walk alone.

This is also an opportunity for Najib to not only follow in his late father's footsteps and equal the latter's political career, but he may even exceed his late father's achievements in creating and showcasing a political tradition which may never be upstaged.

PM Najib, the buck stops at your court.

Tan Foong Luen is the MCA Negeri Sembilan Legal Bureau Chief