Recent reports from journalists and editors at The Star newspaper confirm that MCA (Ling) has for many years used the newspaper to manipulate public opinion, support MCA interests, and, as an editorial policy, subtly attack selected individuals.

Gerakan and its leaders are among those maligned. Thus the purchase of the two new newspapers is rightly condemned by Gerakan's president, and this action goes far to re-affirm public confidence that Gerakan can be re-born as a party with principal and ethics. The public perception of Gerakan as a supine supporter of Umno and the BN coalition, continuously loyal throughout many demonstrations of criminality and cruelty, must now be re-evaluated. This new showing of courage and independence is long overdue.

Within the MCA there are yet men of principle, devoted to the best representation they can give to their constituency, and certainly realistic in their perception of the new political scene in Malaysia. These leaders of the MCA have courageously chosen to take a principled stand against the outrageous behaviour of Umno in its over-reaction to the rising star of Keadilan. To them we must give our applause and our support.

Gerakan is the party in power in Penang, and shares this responsibility with elected MCA legislators. The majority of the voters, however, do not favor the policies of Umno, and this displeasure is certain to be expressed in the next general election. The simple fact facing both Gerakan and MCA is whether Umno is not now a liability.

It is said that politics makes strange bedfellows, and this is becoming more and more apparent in Penang. Not long ago Mahathir was asked to rule on the position of CM of Penang. This was seen at the time as a fundamental weakness of the local leaders. Now the scene suggests a more independent stance is the more appropriate one, and the voters are interested to know which of the present leaders have courage and which do not.

The issue of the newspapers has revealed deep schism in the Chinese voters, and this, along with the Vision Schools issue and the Umno insistence on racial quotas for university admission raises the question of where the interests of the Chinese are best represented. The opposition, whether it be Keadilan, DAP or PAS, at the moment offers Chinese the better chance to realize their dreams and aspirations. As a bonus, the offer includes a cleansing bath to wash away national shame and disgrace.

The leaders of MCA who oppose the newspaper purchase are seen to also oppose in principle other unpopular actions of the Umno ministers, especially the unpopular Mahathir and Badawi. Though in MCA they are but a small minority, they represent the majority of Malaysian voters. As such, it is they, more than the Ling faction, who carry the banner of the future. If they cannot find a comfortable place within the present ministerial line-up, their experience and maturity would be welcome in a new coalition, formed along more democratic lines than at present. This is a time of flux.

As the realisation sinks in, those politicians with prescience will attempt to move present policies toward a more democratic role in the exercise of governmental power. Failing in this, they may be expected to offer their services where they can more effectively exercise leadership. Good men and women will abide a minor flaw or so, but over time, a trend toward towering tyranny will turn the stomach, and they will no longer be able to tolerate the abuse to which they must admit to being a part.

The Umno-BN coalition has been led by men of greed and ambition, expressed in total subjugation of the human rights of the citizens. Those opposition champions who object loudest, leading the oppressed to a new freedom, have been imprisoned by unjust laws, while the instruments of their oppression are awarded tin-plated medallions by ribbon-bedecked manikins in great rooms filled with coloured textiles and dour faces. All know the shallowness, the shame of the charade, but none raise a hand or a voice in protest. Looking on afront with stony eyes is the stalwart young girl, forced to participate in a ceremony she knows is stained with murder and blood.

All who share the silly titles must now accept they wear them in a company of villains. The same hand that put one put all, and whether knowing or not, the fact remains, the taint tars all. A man of honor would disavow the lot, disdain the title, restore both simple name and honor. Let the scoundrel stand alone, rubbing the bronze and glass for which he has traded his ever-lasting soul.

An upright man will not tolerate the company of thieves and murderers, and no fame or gain can compensate for membership in a known company of mendacious cutthroats. Yet this is the present perception. While good men are thrown into chains, ministers stand twiddling thumbs, looking innocently to the skies. "T'wasn't I," they say. If so, then speak against it! Don't slink away in hopes none will observe. Speak out! That we may know you have a heart, and a nose that can smell a lie. Speak out! Lest we find you guilty with the rest. If it is a rat's nest, leave it now, it is not too late.

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