When it comes to Umno elections, any suggestion that some positions ought to be uncontested can, and does cause, a deep, often irreparable divide. It selected its leaders in times past by abiding by Malay customary feudal and legal rules, that dictated a person is returned unopposed. Umno presidents were often chosen this way, but when the consensus is that he would be challenged, he would give way than cause a split.

The first, Onn Jaffar, walked out of Umno when his plan for a multiracial Umno was challenged; the second, Tunku Abdul Rahman, resigned rather than face a challenge after the 1969 general election and the riots which followed. The third, Tun Abdul Razak, died before his time, but if he had to leave, he would gracefully than challenge his opponents.

The fourth, Tun Hussein Onn, when challenged for the presidency in 1978, his wings were clipped, and he made a dignified exit three years later. The fifth, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, decided that this was not how it should be done, insisted he is president if he won by a single vote, and defended his ground so thoroughly and forcefully, and put in place rules and regulations that made it all but impossible for anyone to challenge him.

The sixth, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, decides that is not enough: the supreme council must order the divisions not to nominate any one for the two positions of president and deputy president but Abdullah and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak respectively.