“A picture paints a thousand words,” goes the old saying. But sometimes—doesn’t it also conceal a thousand lies?
Tensions between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional over the latter’s alliance with Perikatan Nasional in the upcoming Negeri Sembilan polls were seemingly swept under the carpet when ministers gathered in Putrajaya recently.
In fact, photos proudly posted on social media by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office showed the group—including Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi—in a nonchalantly cheerful mood.
But here is what many are asking: are those smiles real, or just optics to create a false illusion that all is well within the mighty Madani administration?
When politicians grin for the camera while clutching daggers behind their backs, is that mature politics—or plain treachery?
In reality, how could anyone possibly enjoy working with parties that scheme to topple you in state elections or the next general election—and even openly campaign for it? In Johor, UMNO even made it very clear that DAP, and by extension PH, were not welcome at all.
Seriously then, how long can Anwar carry on smiling?
Some would argue that perhaps the best immediate, short-term solution is for either UMNO or DAP to voluntarily leave the Unity Government. But while DAP has publicly vowed that it may consider withdrawing from the Cabinet as a matter of principle—has UMNO ever expressed any desire to do likewise for any reason?
Why?
If anything, its top leaders have reportedly been teasing Anwar to sack them if he wants to—perhaps hoping to portray themselves as "victims". After all, wouldn’t that give them additional fodder to demonise DAP by accusing the party of being the mastermind behind the move?
Screenshot of news headline and image from Free Malaysia Today.
In fact, there is also speculation that Zahid himself may be “groomed” for the Prime Minister's post. Is it not all the more preposterous, then, to see the UMNO president smiling while walking side by side with Anwar?
Let's face facts. Can there be full focus and commitment in the Cabinet to serve the people when politicians are preoccupied with plotting their political alignments and calculating how to knock each other out at the next election?
Can there ever be proper institutional governance of the nation when Cabinet ministers are openly pitching separate, competing agendas?
Of course, some will argue that this is the harsh reality of coalition politics. Take it or leave it!
But what happens when some use their appointed positions to fully savour federal powers while charting their own way to gain control of Putrajaya? To the layman, wouldn't that be seen as stark betrayal?
To their detractors, there isn't a shadow of a doubt that Anwar and PH have repeatedly compromised their principles just to pacify UMNO and keep the Madani administration in power.
So what exactly is stopping Anwar from “expelling” UMNO, then?
Think about it. How can a key component party of the ruling coalition openly flirt with the opposition while enjoying the power, prestige, and salaries of cabinet ministers?
Isn't that an insult to the rakyat, who placed their trust in the country's democratic institutions and diligently turn out to vote, come rain or shine?
How long are the people expected to tolerate such absurdity anyway?
To its critics, UMNO’s priority seems to be neither the PH-led unity government nor its reform agenda, but its own political renaissance—driven by an insatiable thirst to regain lost supremacy.
As for Anwar, he should be aware that continuing to shelter a partner whom even his own supporters view as disloyal and disrespectful isn't tolerance—it is simply self-sabotage!
Call it voter fatigue or whatever, but isn't that also one of the main reasons why many of his coalition’s base, especially non-Malay voters, have stayed away from polling stations in past state elections?
When will the sordid sandiwara end, then?
It may be a tough call, but to many, the time has come for Anwar to boot UMNO out and force them to face the voters on their own in GE16—stripped of government machinery and federal resources.
The painful truth is: what have those loyal supporters who put him in Putrajaya gained from the toxic union, except endless heartache, humiliation, and a long shameful trail of broken promises?
Main information source: Malaysiakini and Free Malaysia Today.
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