The quota system utilised by Umno for nominations for top posts during party elections cannot ensure that a patronage system will not make a comeback.

The Umno party elections may appear to be an exclusive event for Umno members, and therefore outsiders should not be involved or interested in the election itself.

Unfortunately, since the president of Umno is the prime minister of Malaysia for now, and for a long, long time to come, non-Umno members are equally affected by the results of the Umno polls.

The 1987 Umno election was the last time citizens of Malaysia had a chance to hope for a democratically-elected prime minister.

Except for Singapore and Malaysia, most of the heads of governments of other Asean countries invariably risk their positions in going through national elections. Despite the risk, they showed courage to go through a genuine democratic process in holding elections and in honouring election results.

The head of government in Malaysia has claimed that Malaysia has never failed to conduct national elections at regular intervals. But everyone knows that the really important election, in the political set-up of Malaysia, is the Umno party election.

Since 1987, many formulae have been used, and all of them were designed to protect the person in power. Consequently, the country had to wait for 22 years for a chance to see a new leader.

I do not consider the person who headed the government for 22 years was the only 'talent' this country could ever have produced. The opportunity cost of having that person in power was enormous.

With the quota system, we can foretell who the next few prime ministers are going to be. The Malays who are not sons or daughters of the who's who in Umno in the 20th century will have no chance.

Other Malay talents emerging within the next 30 years will not be utilised. That is the impact of the quota system in Umno election.