This is the second time that Ku Li makes an attempt for the chair of president of Umno. Prior to this, he challenged no less than the party president, Dr Mahathir Mohamad following a failed attempt earlier to take over the deputy presidency from Musa Hitam.

His 1987 defeat was greeted with much scorn and criticism and it resulted in the split in Umno.

It was the ingenuity and magnanimity of Mahathir that brought Umno together again and saw Ku Li back in the saddle of Kelantan Umno. Following this, the constitution and rules of Umno were revised to ensure its continued unity as the dominant political party in the country.

The emphasis on the revision of these party rules was on strengthening unity and to prevent any further future internal threats and dissensions. Never was the exercise intended to enhance democratic principles and practices within Umno.

As Mahathir himself often argued, democracy should not be made sacred like religion. We need to violate it often in meeting our practical exigencies and ensuring our survival. It is just a tool and not an end in itself.

Ku Li's present challenge demonstrates that the revisions have not been in vain. They have helped contain politicking within Umno and to prevent self-centred members from damaging the party.

But Ku Li should opt for full-time retirement from politics if he fails to obtain the mandatory 58 votes of endorsement to contest in the forthcoming Umno supreme council elections. I know life would then be less interesting then, but it would be better for Umno and the country.