With reference to the report, [#1] M'siakini poll on MCA abused by 'interested parties' [/#], Feb 22), what a sham the poll turned out to be, thanks to the deceitful, dishonest and desperate manipulators.

However, the question still needs asking: Can any of the present MCA leaders protect, fight for, or advance the general interests of the Chinese in Malaysia? In view of the many problems besetting the Chinese community, what ideas or plans do any of them have to overcome those problems? Whose interests do the MCA leaders really have at heart - self-interests or the true interests of the Chinese community?

In choosing a leader, what do we really look for?

What the Chinese need is a leader of principle (one who says what he really means, and really means what he says) - a man of great principle, honesty, integrity, vision, courage, able to think and hold an argument without shifting with the wind, able to articulate and carry his view to the people and motivate them for the good of not only the Chinese but all Malaysians. He must have the interests of the people he represents at heart and not his own selfish interests.

Do we have such a leader in the present group of MCA leaders?

I say no, least of all in Dr Ling Liong Sik. We can forget about Ling because he was given ample time to solve the many problems besetting the Chinese, but he has failed miserably.

But what about the rest?

My vote goes to "None of the above" for none of them seems to possess all the stirring qualities of character required of them.

But if there is one quality that I would, at the very least, expect of any MCA leader, it is this: He must be clean and honest. If an MCA leader is not clean and honest, he will fall prey to corruption and be easily subject to blackmail. In such an event, any request he may make on behalf of the Chinese community could easily be countered and negated by a threat to expose his corruption. He will be nothing but a puppet, dancing to the tune and mercy of others.

My advice to any of the would-be leaders is this: If you can't think, at least be honest and clean. This way you will not be subject to blackmail and betrayal of the community you represent. If you can't even be clean and honest, drop out now before you betray the Chinese further.

One sign of this dishonesty can already be gleaned in the malaysiakini poll - the attempt to twist the general opinion of readers and present a false picture of it. Whoever is behind it should go fly a kite.