Today is 16 Sept, we will know whether there would be a change of regime after midnight. Technically speaking, the possibility to have it today is remote.

Undoubtedly, the people are in two minds about it. If Pakatan Rakyat fails to do so, would there be a change of date to topple the govenrment? Would both the ruling and opposition coalitions continue to fight each other while more internal friction emerges? Or would they just find another way?

During the press conference Sunday (14 Sept) called by Pakatan Rakyat leaders, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that he wanted a discussion with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on issues like the country's future development and recent arrests under Internal Security Act. At this critical juncture, Anwar's remarks inevitably caused the people to speculate whether Pakatan Rakyat will choose to have a certain degree of "disguised cooperation" with BN in order to break through the current political stalemate?

Of course, such cooperation is impossible to pull off. There are still many differences in ideologies and conflict of interests between Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional on issues like anti-corruption, race relations, democracy and civil rights, and economic development. After the 8 March general elections and the following political fights, the differences between PR and BN are now irreconcilable. How could they now try to turn hostility into friendship?

However, looking from another point of view, as Umno and Pas could hold a secret talk, why not BN and PR then?

In politics, in order to break the deadlock, enemies can become friends and the ruling party can cooperate with the Opposition. Or both the ruling and opposition parties can even rule together. This is what we call "the third way" in politics.

There is nothing impossible in politics, after all! (By LIM MUN FAH/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)