Mahathir's resignation was triggered after a rupture in the former coalition government,Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) as a breakaway group of MPs from parties within the coalition looked to join forces with the opposition and seize power - while keeping Mahathir as leader.
It is not clear whether what is left of the Pakatan Harapan coalition,which comprises the PKR,DAP and Amanah parties,will muster the 112 seat majority to hang on to power. Nor is it clear if the group of PKR and Bersatu MPs who were in government,and who are looking to join with the opposition parties UMNO and the Islamist PAS party can claim 112 seats either.
In an Australian context,these machinations are the equivalent of the Coalition and Labor both trying to form government with an elder statesman such as John Howard as their chosen prime minister.
A senior MP from PKR,who asked not to be named so he could speak freely,described the situation in one word:"chaos".
In an interview with theSydney Morning Herald andThe Age,the MP said:"At the heart of the matter is whether Dr Mahathir is going to lead Paktan Harapan again,whether to kiss and make up,or is he actually plotting another government?"