Although the ongoing MCA extraordinary general meeting is highly anticipated as it will determine the fate of its two bickering leaders, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has nothing to hope for.
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Speaking to reporters after attending an Aidil Fitri open house in Kuala Lumpur today, Mahathir said he does not care who will win in the EGM.

"But I know it (the result) will have an effect on MCA. And the effect on the public is going to be bad. It does not matter if this one leader wins or the other one wins," said Mahathir.

Whatever the outcome is, he added, there will still be a rift in the party because "the people will be confused".

"After that, people will stop supporting MCA so it will be an empty win for the party," he said.

This morning, MCA central delegates dealt a devastating blow to both of their top two leaders - president Ong Tee Keat and his suspended deputy, Dr Chua Soi Lek.

They passed a motion of no confidence against Ong and while reinstating Chua as a full member, the delegates refused to bring him back as deputy president.

‘You get the government you deserve'

On a separate note, Mahathir also commented on Barisan Nasional's sure-win in tomorrow's Bagan Pinang by-election despite fielding Isa Samad, a leader with a tainted background.bagan pinang by election 061009 bn billboard 05

Asked whether his win could have an impact on BN's credibility in the future, he replied: "It is up to the people how to interpret the victory".

"It could mean the victory for Umno, or the victory for Isa. It is up to the people. This is a country like every other, you get the government that you deserve," he said, without elaborating.

Mahathir has been a vocal critic of Isa, whom he said had a tainted background after being found guilty of money politics in 2004 Umno elections.

Tomorrow, it will be a battle of the titans when both Isa and PAS' Zulkefly Mohamad Omar will go head to head to win in the state seat.

However, many have predicted that Isa, the ‘local boy' of Bagan Pinang will emerge victorious based on an overwhelming grassroots' support he has been receiving.