I don't know what is Mustapha Ong Abdullah's beef

about Mat Zom's expression of just his opinion as to who in terms of perceived capability should succeed as prime minister.

It is just an opinion. It does not have to consider Umno's rules of succession, which the writer having walked the "corridors of power" appeared to know better.

Besides, succession rules are not the final arbiter because even if one succeeds, the question is whether one is capable enough to manage the jostling of power in politics and remain long enough not be deemed a mere "caretaker".

Neither should mischief nor hidden agenda be imputed to just an opinion which is as good as mine if I were to say that in my view, Muhammad Muhammad Taib is the best candidate judging by his ingenuity in saying that his English was not good enough to understand the limit of cash amounts to be brought into Australia.

For no one will really know the agenda, so let attention be focused on the debate.

We are talking here of perceived capability not real capability. No one knows the real capability, which can be displayed only when opportunity presents itself. To be fair to Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his is a hot seat. There is a certain superfluity in this position because the prime minister makes the major decisions. To override, and outshine the boss is to court disfavour. Don't forget the Number 2 is a survivor and it speaks something for him to belong to Ku Li's Team B and yet be able to return to position of successor.

His detractors may think that being a yes-man improves the chance of succeeding as premier. Maybe yes, maybe no. Leadership is however measured not necessarily by how one gets to power (whether by aggressive usurpation or sycophantic polishing) but by how one exercises it when one is already in that position in the face of daunting challenges.

In that sense no one can really predict with any degree of confidence a contender's real capability until the time has come. Yes, I agree with the writer that academic qualifications or PhDs are not criteria of leadership but a mere vague promise against imbecility. That's all.

Based entirely on perceived (as distinct from actual) capability and energy of possible successors, the prime minister of course proves a measuring cast, which is why our stock market sentiments gyrate in tandem with his state of health.