Puteri Umno exco Fatimah Rahmad, or popularly known as Erma Fatimah, has made a very wise decision in quitting the leadership of the organisation. There is simply no place for young and talented persons in Umno anymore.

It is an old men and old women's monopoly. These old men and women merely use popular, famous and young persons to deflect their overstayed welcome. They only need 'yes' persons who are not famous and popular for fear of being outshone publicly.

Young and talented women like Erma will need to wait for the natural death of the old leaders to move up the ladder of hierarchy in the party. For example, it is an open secret that Wanita Umno headed by Rafidah Aziz harbours strong suspicion against many younger and more talented members.

These vested interests in Umno will certainly block any meaningful advancement in the party made by people like Erma. They will only cease to be a stumbling block for younger generation when they are defeated by the opposition, or passed away naturally.

Moreover, ordinary Malays like Erma who has no connections with established families like Najib Tun Razak or Hishammudin Hussein will also be regarded by the establishment as 'outsiders'.

Given these dark realities in the ruling parties, young Umno members, male or female, will only be wasting their precious youth and energy to hope for the taking over of Umno's top leadership. Arrangements of succession have always been made secretly within the inner group of old men and women. Open competition based on talent and popularity are merely slogans.

Talented youth like Erma should instead concentrate on private and personal advancement in their respective careers, or join the opposition to help the people. Otherwise, one not only cannot move up the leadership hierarchy, but will also lose opportunities to improve one's personal life.