IN yet another sign of the times, developments among Barisan Nasional components that would have been considered destructive party crises in the past are today more in keeping with reconstruction. The March 2008 elections demonstrated the electorate's desire for just such renovation. Notwithstanding the insistence of oppositionists nowadays on arrogating to themselves the mantle of "voice of the people", they conveniently ignore the 50 per cent of the electorate who had opted to maintain the status quo. The polls verdict indicated as much of a preference to revamp the BN and reshape its attitudes as to replace it entirely -- and it would seem that every BN component (with perhaps the singular exception of the Sabah Progressive Party) is taking it upon itself to facilitate such a reformation.

In this regard, it has to be said, the MCA has been exemplary so far. Taking the devastating losses of the general election squarely on the chin, there has hardly been a moment when the party has seemed in danger of dissolution since then, unlike, say, Gerakan and the People's Progressive Party. There was an impressive coalescence around the party presidency in its direst hour, which was then reciprocated by the relatively graceful bowing-out of party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and his deputy Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy. Now, a host of familiar faces are stepping up to present themselves for leadership consideration, in what almost amounts to an exoneration of the MCA's historical contentiousness. The party's various schisms over the years have generated a goodly stock of alternative slates of senior politicians; the party today does not lack experienced leaders.

Neither does Umno, for that matter. In the present tip-toeing around the question of challenges to the party leadership, the soft-spoken acquiescence to the notion of sparing the top two posts from contest is leading instead to a full-tilt charge at the vice-presidency, with more than a dozen prospective contenders for the three posts available. The schedule of Umno's leadership transition is not relevant to the message being sent by the rank and file, which is emphasising instead that there is no dearth of leadership potential in the party, and that the present situation could be more beneficial to Umno's long-term survival than detrimental to the authority of the present leadership. For the ruling coalition to retain its relevance for the rest of this electoral term and beyond, that would be a most hopeful sign.