As a supporter of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Barisan Nasional government, I agree with the analysis of columnist Mr James Wong that the opposition Barisan Alternatif will benefit from a Ling victory ('Of backroom operatives and an emotional MCA EGM', June 18).

Ling's bullheadedness in taking over Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press have caused massive resentment in the Chinese community. And now, his son and he himself are being sued by others about some debt problems. Ling is now a liability of MCA and Barisan Nasional. On the contrary, Lim Ah Lek and Chua Jui Meng have a clean image and background. Their position against the takeover is supported by the Chinese community. So, if they win, MCA and BN would stand a better chance of regaining Chinese support for Dr Mahathir, MCA and BN.

The opposition is of course fishing in the troubled waters. It is to the interest of the opposition to see Ling stay as president of MCA as long as possible, so that the issues of Ling's many problems and the bad image of MCA can be exploited in the coming 2004 general elections.

Should clean, honest and incorruptible MCA leaders like Lim, Chua, Chan Kong Choy and Ong Tee Keat come into power in MCA, there would be no issue for the opposition to exploit.