The MCA crisis is like a mirror that reflects not only the ugly faces of politicians, but also the hypocritical faces of thos so-called current affair critics.

As the party infighting gets under way, some well-known as well as many more anonymous writers have stood up to lend their support for Ong Tee Keat through websites and newspapers while launching their merciless assaults on those against Ong.

Next, they focus their firepower around Sin Chew Daily, calling it all kinds of ridiculous names, such as: "sin Chew Daily strives to become the 'fourth fource' in MCA," "Sin Chew reports have prolonged and complicated the infighting within MCA," "Sin Chew Daily collaborates with XXX to topple Ong," etc.

Among such writers are Yang Shanyong and Tang Nanfa, who are pertty well known critics. These people have deviated from the neutrality that used to advocate in order to show their support for Ong Tee Keat and ridicule MCA leaders who are against him. They also lash out at Sin Chew Daily and among their accusations towards Sin Chew are the series of articles penned by Sin Chew commentators blasting out at Ong, as well as giving Liow Tiong Tai front page coverage on numerous occasions after the October 10 EGM.

Having read the writings of Yang and Tang, I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. These well-known critics have resorted to irrationality in a bid to show their staunch support for Ong.

Firstly, Ong suddenly changed his characters after the EGM, a clear departure from the sound image he used to establish in the Chinese community. While being completely taken aback by his composure, the Chinese community and grassroot members of MCA are also utterly disappointed. Sin Chew Daily commentators are only doing their jobs to reflect the emotions and views of the Chinese community.

Moreover, I have also read of many other critics, including Zhang Muqin, Ouyang Wenfeng, Lin Fang, etc. slamming Ong for not honouring his words and not respecting the decisions of MCA delegates. Are these people also collaborating with Sin Chew to topple Ong?

Secondly, I do not have the habit of keeping old newspapers, and am unable to calculate accurately how many times Ong and Liow have made Sin Chew headlines. But from what I enquire from Sin Chew readers around me, they feel that Ong enjoys more exposure than Liow or other MCA leaders, and we can almost read of his news on Sin Chew every day.

Why are there people saying things that they know very well are not true?

It has been recently rumoured that the supporters of some leaders have begun hiring some former journalists and critics to be their "literary gunmen." Having said that, critics and journalists who do not succumb to temptation remain in the majority, and readers are still able to read fair and just articles and comments on newspapers and the Internet.

Claiming to the "fourth estate," the media have the obligation to oversee and check those in power. I truly hope that and its critics will continue to analyse the MCA crisis without fear or favour. (By TIANYA JIANKE/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)