When it comes to negotiations, the one with the upper hand is
always the one who can walk away from the deal. In the case of the
Opposition (Harapan Plus) coming together to overthrow Perikatan, the
stumbling block seems to be over who would become the new PM should they
succeed in their goals of defeating Muhyiddin and gang.
From what we can gather through news reports, Dr M wants six months as PM after which he would hand the position over to Anwar. Why does one get a sense of deja vu when one hears this? If you were Anwar would you trust such a deal? Can you blame him for insisting that he be the PM candidate for Harapan Plus?
Dr M's supporters are saying that Harapan has no chance of taking over the government without Dr M and his supporters. While that may be true what is also undeniably true is that Dr M and his supporters have no chance of overthrowing Perikatan wihtout PKR, which is now solidly behind Anwar.
So, both sides need each other. But who needs the other more?
If there's no deal Anwar can afford to wait for GE15 to lead Harapan to victory. As for Dr M, who is now 95, time isn't exactly on his side. If push comes to shove, Anwar can walk away. Can Dr M?
Ultimately, he has to decide: live with the fact that Muhyiddin outwitted him or live with the fact that it's Anwar who is going to become the next PM. It's one or the other because the option of Dr M himself becoming the PM is not an option as long as Anwar says no deal.
PKR has 38 MPs. Without those 38, you cannot form a coalition government even if GPS (from Sarawak) switches sides. It's just not possible. The numbers are not there.
Sooner or later, Dr M has to face the facts that what he's got to do is pick the least worst option: Muhyiddin or Anwar? Who is worse from him?
If he chooses to live with the fact that Muhyiddin shall remain PM until GE15, fine. Anwar can continue to work with Harapan and plan for GE15. What can Dr M do with his band of four or five men from Bersatu who are still aligned with him?
Anwar is fully aware of what the score is. That's why he's holding out and refusing to just give in. Harapan parties did enough kowtowing during their 22 months in power. It seems DAP and Amanah are still prepared to kowtow some more to Dr M. But not Anwar. And who can blame him?
