YC's letter Team B the real loser has grossly underestimated the influence of MCA's Team B within the party organisation. Correspondingly, the writer has also overestimated the strength of Team A and Dr Ling Liong Sik.

The recent Indera Kayangan by-election result certainly did not reflect the mood and sentiment within MCA. There is strong evidence that in spite of the win, the campaign led by MCA president Ling has not only failed to attract more Chinese Malaysian votes than the 1999 general elections, but has actually lost more ground.

It shows that the issues of the Nanyang Press Holdings takeover and the broken promises on Chinese education are hanging like an albatross round its neck.

Team A under Ling has lost political clout among the Chinese community. Otherwise, Umno would not need to conduct a war-like campaign in the Malay/Muslim areas — exploiting its media might, government machinery, party organisation and even 'thugs' to ensnare a victory for the Barisan Nasional/MCA candidate.

How many MCA delegates who are well-informed about current situations within the party believe in Ling's propaganda in The Star, Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press? MCA delegates are simply not silly. The vast number of votes cast against the purchase of Nanyang Press in the extraordinary general meeting are very telling of the undercurrents in the party.