MALAYSIAN Chinese Association president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, upon assuming office, formulated new guidelines limiting the term of the party president to nine years and those of MPs and state assemblymen for a specific period.

The move is praiseworthy as it reflects the president’s genuine concern for the feelings and aspirations of party members, particularly those in the second echelon.

Ong’s gesture demonstrates political wisdom, a rare phenomenon by Malaysian standards. Leaders of other political parties should have emulated him, but sadly this was not to be.

Leadership of a party should not be the monopoly of any one individual. Long- serving political leaders should step down gracefully. Some have over-stayed their welcome and pretend not to see the writing on the wall.

Equally vexing is the reaction of some of our politicians following the recent poll. Despite crushing defeats, they have vowed to stay on. Some have even made dramatic displays of anger for not getting what they expected. Such behaviour does not augur well for our political culture.

S. SUNDARESON, Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – April 2, 2008