I salute Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's decision to set a deadline for his final retirement from politics and leadership. However, before he goes, I hope he would also induce MCA president, Dr Ling Liong Sik and MIC president, S Samy Vellu to make way for others in their parties.

In fact, both Ling and Samy should ideally go first before Mahathir's Oct 2003 dateline. Otherwise, there will be a lot of complications affecting Barisan Nasional.

For example, would Ling and Samy wholeheartedly accept their new boss? Both Ling and Samy may think that they are more senior to Mahathir's successor and become insolent.

For Mahathir's successor, it is best to cleanse the cabinet off long-serving ministers and party chiefs so that younger ones could contribute new ideas.