As someone who joined Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia for what it had stood for, and inspired by party legends Professor Syed Hussein Alatas, Dr David Tan Chee Khoon and Dr Lim Chong Eu, I am most dismayed at the depths to which the party has descended to.

My experience in the party has taught me that it is not the best that rise to lead the party eventually, it is the political maneuverings by the party insiders that ensure one is chosen to lead.

It is for this very reason that Gerakan was so soundly beaten in Penang (in the 2008 elections) and unlikely to improve much in the coming years.

When the consideration for leadership is the relationship between the incumbent party leader and the one to succeed him then what we have is more of the same, leaders who are weak and unlikely to make the necessary changes required to bring the party forward.

I understand the front runners for chairmanship of BN Penang is now a tussle between the party president Koh Tsu Koon's choice and the current Penang Gerakan chairman Dr Teng Hock Nan's choice.

What has happened to finding someone who is efficient and effective, someone with a proven track record, are not these the more important criteria?

What has happened to Chia Kwang Chye, arguably the most efficient and effective of leaders produced by Gerakan in recent years. Does he not have a place simply because he is not considered anyone's blue-eyed boy?

When will we learn? Even at present there are many in leadership positions within the BN who are there not because of merit, but because of relationships. This is probably worst in a small party like Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia.

Stephen Doss is deputy secretary, Pemuda Gerakan Selangor.