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Rare indeed is the politician who knows the right time to leave to allow others to lead. Just as rare is not
only the politician who knows when to let go but also one who goes on his own free will.
In this country there are a few political leaders who have led their parties for close to 30 years and yet
show no sign of ever wanting to make way. S. Samy Vellu is one and Taib Mahmud another. When
asked when they would retire the usual answer is “I leave it to the members to decide….” But such is
the system that members don’t usually have the guts to openly ask you to leave.
On the opposite side there was also a rare character by the name of Ong Ka Ting who on taking over
the leadership of the MCA from Ling Liong Sik had no hesitation in initiating an amendment to the party
constitution to allow the president to stay only a maximum of two three-year terms. After the poor
performance of his party in the 12th general elections last year Ong also decided immediately that he
didn’t need a Cabinet appointment although by convention he would have been made a minister,
especially since he had won his seat.
Now the MCA is again in a leadership crisis, its second major one in 24 years. Ideally the leader now in crisis,
Ong Tee Keat, should go because of the vote of no-confidence against him by party delegates last Saturday.
So far Ong has not given even the slightest hint that he would abide by the wishes of the 1,155 delegates
who voted “nae” against him and has said that he would wait for the outcome of the central committee
meeting tomorrow (Thursday).
Because he is playing a waiting game there are people who are now invoking the MCA constitution that says
the ouster of a president is only possible by a vote from at least two-thirds of the delegates. In the same breath
there are those who have threatened to quit should Ong decide to remain as president.
There will always be some uncertainty and anxiety each time there is a leadership change but as proven time
and time again, eventually everything will find its own level and normalcy returns. Ong should go, regardless of
what the constitution says. That would be the morally correct decision.
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