Lim Keng Yaik was reported to have 'offered' the Gerakan presidency to Koh Tsu Koon but surely that is for members to decide?

I hold no brief for Kerk Choo Ting or Tan Kee Kwong but surely Kerk has the right to contest without the president shredding him (and Kee Kwong) in public and taking the contest to the gutters?

Even Keng Yaik himself contested (and won) the party presidency in 1980 by contesting against the then president's choice, Gerakan deputy president, Paul Leong.

Besides, Keng Yaik has held public office at either the Perak state or federal level for most of the past 33 years. And he still talks of carrying on!

It looks like ministers in Malaysia expect to be ministers for life, exemplified by the likes of Keng Yaik and S Samy Vellu. How will new talent and fresh ideas ever emerge when the incumbents stay on 'forever'?

And Tsu Koon also does not come across as very leader-like. After 15 years in the same post, he still needs more time to 'work his magic' on Penang? Hello? Has anyone noticed that Penang has slipped over the past eight years?

And if he is confident of leading Gerakan, should he not take the reins now? Why must he wait for another two years?

I recall that in 1969, Tunku Abdul Rahman, who had been in office as prime minister of an independent Malaysia for less than 12 years, was accused of being power-crazy and a dictator by his detractors (including Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who subsequently stayed on 10 years longer).

Yet, today we have ministers who have to be practically prised from their positions.

Like many progressive and liberal-minded Malaysians of all races, I see Gerakan as a good blueprint for non-ethnic-based politics in the future but sadly, the current elections farce is compromising the integrity of the party's leadership.