Bedfellows and backstabbers on the winding road to Putrajaya

In the era of polytropic politics, Malaysia's politicians struggle with commitment issues as they navigate the winding road to Putrajaya ahead of the 16th general election. The political landscape resembles a chaotic version of The Bachelor: Putrajaya Edition, with various alliances and shifting loyalties.

Pakatan Harapan Plus, Perikatan Nasional Plus, and other complex equations remain on the table, but no mega-coalition has been secured just yet. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Umno president, appears to be at the center of the political drama, swinging between Pakatan Harapan and the DAP at the federal level, while secretly indulging in a relationship with Abdul Hadi Awang and PAS in certain states.

Meanwhile, PN finds itself in a dilemma as it grapples with the request to drop its entire entourage, including Gerakan, MIPP, Pejuang, and Wawasan, in order to court BN. However, PN's own internal struggles make the situation even more complicated. The registration of Perikatan Nasional was cancelled after Bersatu complained that it was unlawfully excluded from a crucial PN council meeting. Despite a temporary stay granted by the High Court, the alliance remains unstable.

Rumors suggest that a fractured Bersatu might leave PN and partner with PH, starting with Selangor before potentially spreading nationwide. Meanwhile, Muhyiddin Yassin's remnants attempt to join forces with Zahid's federal spouse, creating a tangled web of political relationships.

East Malaysia remains indifferent to the domestic drama, preferring to secure its own backyard and wait to play kingmaker after the election. With no clear path to form a government with the required 112 seats, the outcome of GE16 remains uncertain, and the road to Putrajaya is set to be a complex and unpredictable journey.