BN, PR Have no Clear Succession Plans, Say Analysts

TODAY

17 March 2015

KUALA LUMPUR — Although one in two Malaysians in a recent survey said veteran politicians should make way for younger leaders, neither Barisan Nasional (BN) nor Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has a clear succession plan, said analysts, citing an entrenched patronage system and lack of mentoring as the main reasons.

They also said the culture of reverence for prominent older personalities posed a stumbling block to identifying and grooming potential leaders.

Political analyst Dr Oh Ei Sun from Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies said neither coalition appeared to have a clear-cut and smooth succession plan.

“This is mainly because Malaysian political parties are typically Leninist in nature and thrive on personality cult of the incumbent leaders. So succession becomes a taboo subject within the parties,” he said.

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Last updated on 23/11/2015