Obviously, there is a problem in DAP. DAP Socialist Youth chairperson Teng Chang Khim's suggestion of a possible solution to the problem - i.e. for Lim Kit Siang to decline nomination to the Central Executive Committee (CEC) - may have sounded like a rather rude retort to a stirring bug in his head.

As obvious as the problem might be, it is also just as obvious that the problem itself has not been identified or defined. If it only had, then it would have been obvious that Teng's solution would have been presented in a less shocking manner.

We have all followed Kit Siang's political career and some of us have also followed his arguments. I should say that very few are able to articulate as well as he, the depth of a situation or an issue. Even Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad would stand shamed in arguing a case on any issue with Kit Siang.

For the good of the next generation I do agree that there has to be new blood infused into the leadership of the DAP. But if Kit Siang continues to be prominent even though he is not an opposition MP, is he to be faulted?

Fact is, if there are issues daily that require an oral response that is focused and without emotion, Kit Siang makes it. His arguments are on the spot and worth mentioning and publishing. Without being a politician I get my views aired more than Teng.

Teng has a platform, being a youth leader. I have none. The media is open to the two of us with him having earned a greater right to it than I. He could have filled this space with his views. Yet if this letter gets published, I get ahead of him.

It is not so much his charisma, knowledge or his vocalisation of his views that gets Kit Siang the prominence in society, the media and the DAP, presumably. Kit Siang cannot claim sole monopoly to views that he has vocalised. Any one of us could have formulated those views. Yet most of the time we did not. More importantly the DAP party members did not.

If Kit Siang is still up there it is by sheer omission on the part of the other party members that he continues to cruise along in a leadership position. He does not even have to try hard to capture that position.

If his influence in the party and in the opposition despite having lost in the last election remains intact it is by sheer omission on the part of the second liners who are forever waiting to be thrust onto some platform or other before they will open their mouths or do something. Well, that is not exactly the way up a corporate ladder let alone a political ladder.

Leaders, of any organisation, who have a conscience, know what it takes and what is needed. Often they would be looking out for such a person to continue the work and tradition so that they can slowly take a back seat. Maybe Kit Siang has not found one! Obviously that one has to be someone who makes his own platform and pushes his way up that platform. Not someone who thrusts himself up the platform Kit Siang has built after getting the latter to come off it.