I refer to the malaysiakini report Taib not ready to step down. After ruling the natural resources-rich state for more than a quarter of a century, one would expect the long-standing chief minister of Sarawak to have already made by now a succession plan for a younger leader to succeed him.

One can now see that he is buying time in order for one of his children to succeed him when the time is right. This not unlike a feudal society where the son succeed the father to the throne after the father has relinquish his kingdom.

All the potential leaders in Sarawak whom Taib Mahmud groomed earlier have resigned from their posts as they are fed up with waiting for the wily chief to make way for them. This bodes well for the opposition parties and they may win big in the coming polls as the present chief minister with his untold wealth and misdeeds will be a liability for BN if he stays on and not make way for new blood.

Our former premier started the trend of overstaying his welcome by having four deputies under him. The present premier was lucky to replace him. Heaven knows if BN would have won big if Dr Mahathir Mohamad had not make way for Pak Lah. Now the chief minister of Sarawak is following the former premier's footsteps in not choosing an appropriate candidate to replace him. Effendi Nawawi and Adnan Satem are more than capable of taking over the reins in Sarawak.

The present law should be amended to allow a fixed term for the prime minister and chief ministers to remain in office as the present system doesn't seem to be any good for the country. Presently, there is several cabinet ministers of the old regime - still surrounded by controversies - remaining in office not wanting to make way for younger leaders who may have a better vision to lead our country to new heights and prosperity.

Most of the present cabinet members are more than 60 years old and have been in office for more than a decade. It is about time they retire and spend their golden years with their family and make way for other younger leaders.

But don't hold your breath. I am quite sure Taib Mahmid, Rafidah Aziz, S Samy Vellu and their ilk will still want to retain their seats and cabinet positions come the next general elections and their deputies will have to wait forever to replace them. Only death or chronic illness will force these old hands to relinquish their high posts though the public at large is the ultimate loser if these leaders continue to remain in office.

We can either remove them from office come the next polls or be prepared to see these same old faces continue to plunder our assets for their own selfish needs while remaining in office for years to come after the next polls. The choice is up to us.

We voters can remove the tainted and the corrupt who have overstayed their welcome at the next general election. Let's not miss this opportunity in a lifetime to make a change for the better.