Rakan sekatil, penikam belakang dan mitos gabungan ‘plus’

In the era of complex politics, analysts use the term "polytropic" to describe the serious commitment issues of Malaysian politicians. As we approach the 2016 general election (PRU16), the political landscape on the Malay Peninsula no longer resembles a stable Westminster democracy system, but rather resembles a chaotic and dramatic reality show in Putrajaya.

For those trying to decipher the mathematical formula of political formulas, the choices listed on Anwar Ibrahim's board appear to be malfunctioning calculators: PH Plus, PN Plus, or perhaps confusing equations like BN-turning-Unity, Vision, Gerakan, MIPP, and Pejuang, blended with PAS. There is no one who has managed to lock any mega combination, as everyone is busy juggling multiple roles.

Take Zahid Hamidi, for example, a world-class political gymnast. At the federal level, he sits comfortably on the bed of unity government with Pakatan Harapan and DAP, smiling before the cameras. However, as soon as he crosses the border to Johor, Negeri Sembilan, or the election battleground zones in Melaka, Zahid slips out the back door to cozy up with Hadi Awang and PAS.

It's a double-faced shame. While Zahid and Anwar rule the country during the workweek, BN unites with PAS to erase PH from the national map during weekends. As the election campaigns intensify in Melaka, Zahid boldly declares green has embraced blue. Ironically, the situation is quite revealing: BN shamelessly secures 23 seats for itself and then spills the remaining five seats to PAS and their PN allies.

But this human affair has its limits. Zahid only wants PAS, and he has no idea what to do with loyal PN allies. After all, does Hadi truly want to surrender seats in safe constituencies like Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, or Perlis just to keep Umno happy? The local warlord noted that the chances of seeing snowfall in these states are much higher, especially after Umno just snatched two extra seats in Melaka.

Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional finds itself entangled in a dilemma created by itself. To appeal to BN properly, they are asked to dismiss the entire gang—Gerakan, MIPP, Pejuang, and the newly formed Wawasan Party—all under the leadership of Hamzah Zainudin, who has stepped down. It seems Zahid doesn't want to pay the bill for a big dining table.

To make it more concise, the house occupied by Gerakan and MIPP is now burning down. In a huge political shock on October 20th, 2026, JPPM officially canceled PN registration. This was due to internal turmoil when Bersatu accused them of being unfairly ignored in PN's important executive meetings. Although the Malaysian Supreme Court granted a temporary stay on the cancellation of registrations on October 22nd, the alliance is now a sinking ship caught in a severe shift, while its engine—the Bersatu under Muhyiddin Yassin—is triggering an unprecedented destabilizing earthquake.

Of course, this vacuum has sparked lively rumors. Whisper quietly in Shah Alam, and you'll hear the sad sound of Bersatu planning to abandon the party completely and work together with PH, starting with an intimate trial marriage in Selangor before potentially spreading nationwide. This occurs right after the party leader secured a Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) with Madani government led by Anwar Ibrahim—a clearly crafted package to secure parliamentary stability and ensure the 2027 Budget approval.

If you're trying to calculate the odds: Zahid is sleeping with a PN partner, while Muhyiddin's supporters are trying to switch sides to cozy up with Zahid's camp. As the Malay Peninsula breaks into a million fragments of social media chatter, East Malaysia watches this factional drama with great excitement. The serpent-like chain of alliances like Sarawak United Party (GPS) and Sarawak Barisan National (GRS) simply have no interest in joining the strong bloc on the mainland or any mega combination that puts them at the head.

When PRU16 finally calms down, the only certainty is that the existence of a fragile parliament depends on it. Whether Anwar, Zahid, Muhyiddin, or Hadi can secure the magical 112 seats to form a single-party government is uncertain. We won't see a clean "Plus" combination on the ballot paper. Instead, we'll get a fluid political understanding—policy mix for complicated status.

Our leaders will avoid three-way races where who's next competes against each other, followed by a full-blown gathering in the hotel conference room after the election to determine who's least hated. Get ready. The road to Putrajaya is no longer a straight highway; it's now a free party, and everyone is invited.