I refer to the Malaysiakini report Don't bluff me, Soi Lek warns .

Obviously Dr Chua Soi Lek was referring to the MCA president's recommendation to the prime minister for a ministerial post and whether he was to be recommended or not.

Now in the case of recommendation for a ministerial post to the PM, the party president (in this case it is Ong Tee Keat) has the prerogative to pick whoever he wishes. The candidate chosen may be a he or a she. He may even choose a donkey to be a minister! No one can deny his right to choose a donkey . No one can say he should not choose a donkey.

That is his right, being the party president who was duly elected by the delegates in an open contest, with no quota system as being practised in Umno. Since he won fair and square, he has earned his right and he has every right to assert the authority of his office.

Just imagine president-elect Barack Obama being asked to pick only black people to be in his cabinet. But being a wise man and being counseled by a strong, knowledgeable transitional team, he would search for the right man or woman to take up the right position.

Obviously, he will not try to fit a square peg into a round hole. It will not fit. Heavy is his burden; and heavy is his responsibility. On his shoulders lie the burden of not only America but also the whole world.

If he fails, he will be kicked out when the next round comes. If he succeeds, he will have another shot at four years. Voters are discerning characters; serve them well, then you can keep your job.

So too, the MCA president has to perform. Otherwise he will be out when the party ‘judgement day’ comes in three years ' time. Ong Tee Keat has a host of problems to tackle after the party’s disastrous outing on March 8. Reform or be deformed. Change or be changed.

Of course, his deputy is a man of guts and gumption. Of course, he , when exposed over a sex scandal, gave up all posts including his health minister's post. Now, do we condemn a man who has gone out of alignment but can otherwise perform in his official duties?

Which man would you prefer? A man who is inefficient and negligent in his official duties but is a good sheep who kowtows to the leader at every turn or a man who has the brains, works hard and is not afraid to say his piece ?

A good example is Barack Obama who picked Joe Biden as his running mate and who is a controversial character. Obama wanted a ‘sparring partner’ who could give divergent views and could prove that the president is wrong. Obama said that he needed a strong character, not a ‘yes man’.

Umno, MCA, MIC in BN and PKR, DAP, PAS in Pakatan Rakyat should look for the gems – the rare ‘stones’ that will spark an honest discourse will never be afraid of challenges.

Sad to say, Malaysian leaders want to be entrenched in their positions and any slight criticism is taken as an attack against them. This shows immaturity of thought for the nation is all the poorer if fresh ideas are shunted or dampened and their proponents are just put away in the Kamunting Detention Camp so that they will not be able to air views which are actually for the good of the nation.

Leaders of calibre are always ready for debates and are prepared to hear opposing views in parliament, in the newspapers, on the Internet and in public forums. That is the way forward to bring progress to the nation and its people.

Fear not bloggers; fear fellow passengers who curry favour so as to enrich themselves. Fear not enemies who speak the truth; fear friends who tell lies to flatter you.

I feel Chua Choi Lek is for the good of MCA as deputy president. And being a minister, he will bring fresh air into the cabinet. Why be afraid of him? Be gracious.

There is room for all who honestly want to serve MCA’s members and the nation. Of course, Ong Tee Keat is the MCA president and has the prerogative.

But no leader is a leader forever. Pride goes before a fall.