Having read the various commentaries and opinions surrounding the ultimately 'non-event' challenge sparked by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to the Umno throne, I feel compelled to say my piece.

From the very beginning itself, I did not think Ku Li would ever garner enough nominations to enable him to actually make it to the election platform in September. However, this began to make me wonder as well.

If I, an ordinary layman, a non-politician and a non-partisan individual can figure out the imminent result and futility of such an attempt, why not Ku Li himself who is a seasoned politician and a master strategist himself?

I believe Ku Li was fully aware of his slim chances as well as the risks when he announced his candidacy. However, being a veteran Umno leader, Ku Li tried to offer an opportunity or avenue for the present generation of Umno leaders to break away from the culture of political patronage and feudalism currently prevailing in the party.

It reminds me of the old Aesop fable about belling the cat. While the majority in Umno are grumbling and moaning about the unfairness of the 'no-contest' directive, Ku Li was the only one who dared to stand up and be counted.

He took the risk of belling the cat and is prepared for its consequences. Ku Li, in his wisdom, knew all along that his attempt would fail but as Gandhi once said: 'If you act, you may not get any results. But if you don't take any action at all, there will definitely be no results'.

So Ku Li offered himself as a shining beacon leading to a new path in Umno leadership but alas! he ended up as a candle in the wind that was blown out as quickly as it was lit.

Ku Li's loss is only an individual loss but for Umno, the loss is greater for it has regressed back to the feudalistic concepts of its pre-ordained leaders.

Umno has missed its chance for a change and it will be a long, long time (or maybe never) before someone as courageous Ku Li comes by. I am deeply motivated by his courage and strong will he has portrayed.

Ku Li will have his place in history as probably the last samurai in the Malay politics.