Anwar understands Mahathir thoroughly

Nanyang Siang Pau, May 24^th 2016.

When the Citizens’ Declaration successfully gathered one million signatures, it was at its peak and it showed that anti-Najib sentiment was not abated. No doubt the anti-government sentiment was not that strong as it was expected but the lifeline of the Opposition evoked some positive effects.

PKR adviser Anwar cautioned the Opposition when they tried to cooperate with Mahathir. He was pouring cold water on such alliance.

Anwar’s letter contained many strong political innuendoes. Anwar and Mahathir had known each other for many years and they were once partners in running the country. Later they became political enemies and strangers especially after Anwar was jailed.

Friend or foe is only separated by hairbreadth

Their cooperation at this time is a test of a common saying: “There is no permanent enemy in politics”. Mahathir and the Opposition leaders met in the public with the aim of borrowing the influence of the Opposition to topple Prime Minister Najib. The Opposition hoped to use this strategy to weaken the foundation of Barisan Nasional and to reduce its ruling power.

The cooperation between both parties is just like having same bedfellows but with different dreams. The friendship and animosity are based on having a common agenda but with some differences. The Opposition and Mahathir wanted Najib to step down. If this comes true, their relationship will change because they will lose the common motive that binds them together.

Let’s see the relationship between Pakatan Harapan and PAS. Both take Barisan Nasional as their common enemy. Although both of them are enemies, very likely they will join forces to attack their greater common enemy that is Barisan Nasional. That is for the sake of overthrowing the ruling power of Barisan Nasional. PAS always stress on the ideology of a theocratic nation which is not accepted by Pakatan Harapan. Pakatan Harapan emphasizes on no racial and religious barriers, and there must be unity among all races. This political ideology is very different from that of a theocratic nation. They are not friends and both are barriers to each other in advancing to their respective political aims.

From ancient time till the present, political friends and enemies relationship is like high and low tide of television drama series. PKR, DAP and PAS were once strong Pakatan Rakyat Opposition allies but now PAS has left and its friendship with them was only a memory. Now PAS has become their greatest political enemy.

The enemy’s friend has become present friends. However, in politics, either friends or foes are only separated by hairbreadth.