COMMENT | Malaysia’s political parties have a contradiction. Outwardly, they claim to love and celebrate democracy. Inwardly, some of them do everything they can to undermine or even avoid democracy in their parties.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin recently announced his “formula” at a party convention to ensure unity ahead of the party polls.

He proudly brandished the announcement as a success of sorts, that he had brokered negotiations to avoid clashes and prevent disunity in the upcoming party election beginning Oct 12.

Of course, Muhyddin himself will win another term as party president, uncontested, following the dramatic u-turn at last year’s party assembly.