I refer to the letter by Hon Mun Wah about face-saving and face losing within the MCA ('Face lost in face-saving exercise', Aug 4). It seems rather late in the day to discuss the matter of that party in terms of appearance.

The overall image of the MCA as an ineffectual component within the Barisan Nasional has long been established in the eyes of most observers; leaving only certain section of its membership to harbour any real hope for its revival in its present form which is lacking any significant substance.

Therefore no matter what raucous incidents were to ensue in its internal revolt is not about to occlude the fact that it is a sycophantic and impotent force overwhelmingly involved with vested party and business interests with some incongruous but hyped-up trivialities involving its ethnic which it claims to champion.

In fact, it may be even a good indication that somebody somehow has found the rightful will for dissent against the torporific irrelevance which the party has become for ages.

Referring to the fundamental laws and constitution is an academic exercise to distort the overall failings. It can even be construed as a 'gerrymandering' sort of exercise in favour of the leadership's incumbency through selective harping upon the convenient alibis which is part and parcel of any institution.

The laws and the party's constitution aren't something that any one side has never abused; laws can be perverted, party constitution can be interpreted variously when there is no true spirit is used in the process.

In this sense the MCA top leadership have fallen on it's face a long time ago. The various past scandals and let-downs cannot be dismissed through seeking to camouflage the big picture by focusing on selective matters of proprieties alone. The MCA has little left-over 'face' to risk losing, as a matter of fact. A good question is whether its followers will still remain duped in the name (only) of its communal interests.