Showdown or showtime?

The arrest of Penang DAP executive Councillor Phee Boon Poh and the PKR Penanti state assemblyperson Dr Norlela Ariffin's reporting on the "illegal" carbon filter factory in Bukit Mertajam that led to the former's arrest and remand, exposes a new twist to the newly-born and yet "to be" Pakatan Harapan.

Certainly, the opponents of Pakatan Harapan will be looking forward to yet another volley of attacks targeting how this opposition coalition cannot save Malaysia. It will gain traction in the weeks if not months ahead among Barisan Nasional politicians and die-hard followers highlighting how the opposition is compounding each other.

The other perspective is how will the Pakatan Harapan deal with this issue especially now that the PKR state assemblyperson has wept publicly that she cannot take the pressure anymore.

Indeed media has a grip on the story unfolding and a field day it shall be for mainstream pundits.

There are two extremes here. One, does this case show proof that the opposition is indeed fragmented and will end up going for each other's throats? And will some along the way turn into ugly green moles to benefit from the tentacles of enticing political wagers?

Or do we see this as an opportunity for the opposition coalition to demonstrate that it will ultimately thrive on the check and balance equation that seals their partnership?

Indeed, if Barisan Nasional takes a battering approach to this saga, it stands to cry over spilled milk if the opposition succeeds in harnessing its story line truthfully and showcases how it is a matured coalition operating in the best interest of the rakyat.

But if the BN had things its way, with the entire machinery of law and order at its service, then the opposition is going to face an uphill task. What compounds this perspective is the fact that the PKR candidate cried to media rather too quick.

But perhaps, then again, this is the acid test ultimately for the strength of a working partnership or a cracking coalition. - Mkini