I believe that this issue has been debated countless times and conveniently handed over to succeeding committees. It was too ‘hot’ a potato to handle and a natural death was the best thing to hope for with this rather sensitive matter.

However, I would like to once again bring up this very relevant issue as we enter a new millennium. The MPA is now approaching a different phase in its evolution as all societies go. A lot of credit must be given to all the previous office bearers and committees for nurturing the Association to its present state with a very healthy membership, a regular newsletter, its own medical journal and several subcommittees which play very active roles in drawing up national guidelines.

It is only natural that the Association will have to move on from a ‘developing’ to a ‘developed’ phase not unlike that of a nation. Expectations will change and achievements will not be as easily accomplished. New goals and challenges with a new vision will lift the association on to higher ground. Now consider this, the MPA AGM is the highlight of any presidential term. This easily takes up half a year in its preparation and the President’s efforts are so preoccupied with this one event that it leaves him with a mere 6 months to carry on the other activities of the association. What with the administrative and ‘bread and butter’ issues taking up another sizeable chunk of his time, this barely leaves him any opportunity to push for and realize new goals and ideals for the association during his term of office. Most would agree that two years is a more realistic period of time to plan and achieve one’s goals for the Association.

Some of us strongly feel that this matter should be seriously reconsidered by the members during the coming AGM. We have been very fortunate to have very good and capable presidents and committees. They have served faithfully and have done very good work. It is true that no man is indispensable but good presidents and committees must be given the opportunities to serve. A good and dynamic president does wonders for any association he leads. The recurrent argument and irrational fear that we could be landed with an ineffective president who will merely warm the seat for two long years should not deprive capable members of the chance to do much good for the association. Perhaps, an alternative suggestion would be to automatically propose the president for a second term after the first year. If he/she feels that he/she has not accomplished the goals he/she has laid out for the association, he/she should be given the chance to see it through.

The AGM is still a long way off, but by bringing up this issue early, I am hoping that all members will think this issue through carefully and perhaps some feedback could be published in the newsletter before it is brought up as a resolution in the AGM next year. Thank you.

DR. DAN GIAP LIANG