Calls for Mr Lim Kit Siang to resign from active politics are not new and usually emanate from his political opponents and detractors. Not surprisingly their statements are published with alacrity by the government-controlled media. Their reasoning never fails to be illogical and pathetic.

The latest call is no different, but is unusual in that it comes from within the DAP, by Teng Chang Kim, a relatively high-profile member and state assembly representative. His illogical comments raised more questions about his motives and political affiliations.

I cannot disagree more with his suggestion that Kit Siang should decline nomination for leadership posts in order to allow latent talent in the party to blossom. Implicit in his opinion is the false notion that Kit Siang has dictatorial tendencies and actively blocks views and people whose positions are not in line with his own.

Looking at the 'talent' which left the party recently under the pretext of Kit Siang's dictatorial and nepotistic inclinations, I cannot see any serious contribution that they have made to the democratic process in Malaysia. Those who were brave enough to stand in the recent elections were defeated ignominiously by losing their deposits; such was the outright rejection by the people of his detractors.

The reason why Kit Siang has been one of the longest serving MPs in Malaysian history and enjoys a pre-eminent position in the DAP is purely due to his political genius, tenacity, intellect, probity, hard work and sheer dedication to the cause of justice and good governance in Malaysia.

Let's face it, these attributes are rare in the Malaysian political landscape. The voice of Kit Siang is always to be heard where there is corruption, injustice and an aberration from the rule of law.

Throughout his distinguished parliamentary career, he has been at the forefront of major political issues of our time. Such is his fearless sense of justice, he has faced incarceration a number of times by an unjust State during the course of championing the rights of people. If Kit Siang is no longer relevant to the DAP and its political aspirations, then surely the best way to ascertain this is through the ballot box in the forthcoming triennial party congress.

That, in case Teng is not aware, is democracy. If Kit SIang has the confidence and respect of most of the delegates, then I feel it would be a dereliction of responsibility if he declines nomination. If Kit Siang was dictatorial, he would make his position in the party uncontestable, which is what the Umno president has done for the last 14 years since his near defeat by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah in the 1987 Umno elections. Kit Siang would never dream of doing that because he is a true democrat.

When he lost the Bukit Bendera seat in the 1999 elections, he accepted full responsibility for the outcome and DAP's poor showing, and in a dignified way resigned as secretary-general of the party. There is no doubt that he and the DAP paid a heavy price for embracing PAS. He was fully aware that forming a coalition with PAS had its perils but he rightly saw it as the only way to present a viable challenge to BN.

He put the interest of the nation above personal and party political interests. There was a palpable sense of shock and sadness in the DAP fold over the turn of events. The central executive committee of the party thought his unique talents were required to guide and nurture the party through its recent electoral setback and they duly elected him unanimously as chairperson.

The DAP debacle was not so much a rejection of Kit Siang or the party but more the capitulation of the electorate to their fears and prejudices of PAS and their 'Islamic state' agenda. His role as chairperson is an advisory one and most of the executive power in the party lies with the secretary-general, Kerk Kim Hock. So the allegation of being 'dictatorial' is pure fiction.

Kit Siang is ahead of his time, and I suspect what galls his detractors is the fact he remains brimming with ideas and energy for a more equitable and just society. I believe he can continue to make a unique contribution to the BA, who will benefit from his powerful intellect, vast experience and integrity.

Society in a civilised democracy always encourages and tries to emulate brave individuals who act as beacons of justice and morality. If such individuals are advised to 'retire' and live a life of obscurity, then it is reasonable to expect that there would be a decline in civilised values and democracy itself.