There are downside factors for PPBM in Semenyih, including the declining credibility of the PH government and the alleged fake degree of deputy foreign minister Marzuki Yahya.

No one can deny Mahathir's right to express himself, but he has to say the right things for the right occasion.

How different is PH from BN if it holds back what is right, such as ratifying ICERD and recognizing the UEC, for fear of losing the Malay support?

We cannot afford to wait for two more years, as some of the damages may not be undone, making any future attempt to reform the country even more difficult.

Now that Umno is down and out, PPBM makes a natural choice for the conservative Malay society.

“We recognize UEC... To a certain extent, we have accepted!”

"The government should not renege on its promise just because it needs to take into consideration the feelings of some people."

Mahathir says there is no necessity of bringing the issue of him completing a full 5-year term to the PH presidential council as the council has already made a decision on the succession plan.

Thanks to the ideological differences and distrust among PH component parties, coupled with Mahathir's indecision and frequent policy U-turns, the ruling coalition has completely lost its sense of direction.

The handover of duties by Ahmad Zahid has at least relieved part of the pressure, so that Umno can take a breather now.