Let's hope old faces make way for new leaders in GE15

Its election year and the catalyst is the recent March 12 Johor state election.

This was followed by DAP's party leadership elections with Anthony Loke replacing the old guard, Lim Guan Eng.

Guan Eng was unable to defend his secretary-general seat as his three-term reached its limit, a move that forces one to let go of key positions to allow new faces to lead.

Next will be the PKR party polls. So far we have not heard of any new nominations for the president's post, allowing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to continue leading the party.

Even though there have been calls for Anwar to step down after poor performance in Sarawak, Melaka and Johor polls, however, this was the party's internal matter and outsiders can only express their views as the last call will be made by the party members.

Due to that, when former party vice-president Rafizi Ramli announced his return to politics and to contest in the party's number two spot, he was immediately thrown back into the spotlight as people yearn for new and dynamic leadership, and for someone who speaks the language of the rakyat.

The number two post has been opened for anyone to contest after Datuk Seri Azmin Ali vacated the seat after leaving PKR to Bersatu.

However, it won't be an easy task for Rafizi after Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution had also expressed interest to contest the seat.

Just like Rafizi, Saifuddin's a great orator - who speaks the layman's terms, therefore both are an asset for the party to move forward. Whoever leads will likely be Anwar's successor. However, the final choice will be made by party members.

Taking into account the performance of political parties and the political scenario, Malaysia should be led by the new generation of leaders as we have been overshadowed by the same old faces.

In this context, DAP should be praised. Even though, the Lim dynasty seems to still be at the forefront but the party amendments show there is space and opportunities for a new generation of leaders to emerge and lead the party.

But what about other parties? For sure we can't say the same about Pejuang-led Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, PKR-led Anwar, Amanah is still being led by Mohamad Sabu and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is still leading Bersatu.

The same with Umno under Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Pas is still under Tan Sri Hadi Awang. It seems the old faces are reluctant to go.

As the nation moves into the general election, let's hope the old faces will make way for Malaysians to elect a new leader.

"Back and Forth" is a column by Rozaid Rahman. He is Sinar Karangkraf Group Editor-in-Chief and Chief Content Officer.