Your closest ally is your deadliest foe.

The president of Malaysia Chinese Association(MCA),Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, told the press 3 days after the double-10 (October 10) EGM, in which he received the "vote of no confidence" from the party delegates, that he was not so much hurt by the decisions of the delegates as the betrayal by his "friends".

He appeared to be very surprised by the actions of his so-called friends. I am equally surprised by his naive belief that there is true friendship in an arena where self interest is the paramount consideration of any player.

A few days later it was every one's turn to be surprised, he joined force with his arch rival Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soil Lek, the sacked deputy president of MCA, to face the the challenge from the "third force" led by party vice-president, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Yet a more interesting twist to the party internal bickering is the declaration by the Registrar of Societies that Dr Chua is still the lawful deputy president! Umm...interesting, we are now back to what we had 1 1/2 years ago, Ong as president, and Chua as deputy president. What a waste of time and energy!

If they wisely used the time and energy in restoring the trusts and confidence of the voters after the March 8 (308) general election disaster, MCA would be well on its way to regaining the support of the rakyat as UMNO has achieved. WHAT A PITY!