Finally Anwar Ibrahim admitted that his plan of unseating the existing government was becoming increasingly tough.

Although he was still headstrong in claiming that Pakatan Rakyat was seeking a more peaceful and rational approach to take over the government, Bloomberg said that was by far the most pessimistic remark Anwar had made on the change of government since the March general elections.

This is a truth.

The worst thing in politics is self overestimation and downplaying the foes.

Since the March general elections, many people have seen bipartisan politics taking shape in this country, and therefore tend to believe that the time has come for an immediate change of the federal government.

But as long as political power comes into play, even if it is nothing but a conceived idea, there is a possibility for the players to be overwhelmed by the dazzling powerplay, in a way that they have lost their own directions as well as their own selves.

When the picture lying ahead looks rosy, many people will begin to commit the same mistake of impetuousness.

In a quest to shoot right up to the sky, many have forgotten the fundamental principles of democracy, even going contrary to their own political ideals as they try to wrestle the power of administration through under-the-table deals, bypassing democratic rules.

And now the wake-up call has been served, and the reality clearly seen. It is not a bad thing at all to re-evaluate their own selves as well as the big picture.

We cannot forever live in our own dreams and impractical fantasies.

Today, we must come to the realisation that UMNO is not as vulnerable as many have imagined. This political entity remains the pillar of the Malay community.

In the face of a crisis, most Malays will still choose to rally around this party. This party is not completely falling back and unrepentent.

Even after falling, as long as it knows how to crawl back onto its feet again, this party will remain where the hope of the Malay race is.

Clearly discerning the merits of its rivals is not to abate Pakatan's integrity, but to remind it of the fact that there is no short cut in democracy. Democracy must be reverted back to its people-first principles and rationality before it can be called true democracy and be elevated to a higher level.

It is by no means Doomsday failing to grab the federal administration today. Pakatan still has five states in its hands. Why not work conscientiously and put up a good show before the next face off with BN? (By LIM MUN FAH/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)