Party leaders were in full support of the new MCA policy to limit the terms of its ministers and state executive councillors. They said it will put an end to power jostling.

Yesterday, the party's presidential council decided that MCA ministers will be limited to a maximum of two parliamentary terms or 10 years while state executive councillors will serve three terms.

In giving the thumbs-up, MCA vice-president Ong Tee Keat said the move, despite having its pros and cons, was part of the bigger agenda to reform the party.

"What is important is at the end of the day, (we achieve) our purpose of reforming the party to enable more people to assume public office in view that we now have the second and third echelon leaders," he said when met at the Parliament lobby today.

"It will also help to reduce cases of power jostling among the aspirants," he added.

Asked if the policy was related to the leadership crisis which rocked the party several years ago, he replied: "It is only right for me to say that when a proposal is made in the name of reform, we take cognisance of what we have experienced [...] the good, bad and ugly ..."

He said the party has to learn from its past experiences for only then would it be able improve in the future.

New dimension

The second largest party in the Barisan Nasional (BN) was previously split into two camps, popularly known as Team A and Team B. Their differences came to the fore following unease over the distribution of government posts and the party's decision to purchase two Chinese dailies in 2001.

The matter was resolved via a peace plan brokered by then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Also supporting the term limitation move was party Youth Secretary-General Dr Wee Ka Siong. He said it would bring a new dimension to Malaysian politics and other BN parties may follow suit.

"It certainly helps in terms of laying a foundation for a smooth succession plan. Power struggles are inevitable in politics, but with this decision, whether you like it or not, you have to leave after the stipulated term," he said when met at the same venue.

On the 10-year period, Wee said it will set a time frame for the ministers to perform, adding that other countries such as China and America also had a similar ruling.

Don't limit call

Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye and PAS secretary-general Kamaruddin Jaffar, when contacted, also welcomed the move.

However Gerakan Youth chief Mah Siew Keong opined that the 10-year limit was 'too short' for a minister who performed well.

"If the minister is capable, then there shouldn't be any limit. One year is already long enough for a badly performing minister," he said, adding that he felt that a 15-year term limit for ministers would be ideal

Mah, who is also international trade and industry deputy minister, said Gerakan will not follow the precedent set by its BN counterpart.

With the development within MCA, its leaders such as Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn, Selangor exco members Ch'ng Toh Eng and Tang See Hang as well as Penang state exco member Koay Kar Huah are now serving their last term.