In the end, it was much ado about nothing.

Following news he’s been in talks with Umno leaders, naturally, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim got everyone abuzz when he called for a press conference where he was expected to announce a possible marriage of convenience come GE15. 

Instead, he’d said discussions between PKR leaders and his former gang were informal and still in the early stages. Thus, it was too early to go shopping for a wedding dress. 

He also claimed he still has “adequate” numbers to form the next gomen, despite a rash of MPs frogging it from PKR. That may be, Anwar ol’ boy, but it’s still a far cry from the “strong, formidable and convincing” song and dance you did not six months ago.

Of course, the PKR head honcho didn’t deny the possibility of an Umno-PKR tie-up down the line but insisted he was dedicated to the principles held by his Pakatan Harapan coalition. 

Someone should tell Abang Nuar that he likely can’t have his kuih and eat it too. How exactly does he plan on (possibly! possibly!) having any Umno deal when the latter’s repeatedly said it’ll never work with DAP? 

FYI, despite some softening of its stance of late, DAP big boss Lim Guan Eng has said he’s only willing to cooperate with Umno on certain issues only, and certainly not in any elections. 

Amanah, meanwhile, said Harapan must answer some tough questions if it’s indeed okay with buddying up to Umno. Namely, has their former nemesis repented? Would they be willing to have Anwar as PM and play second fiddle to Harapan? And would this mean PH has changed? All good questions, which should prompt some soul-searching by Anwar and his geng – if they’re capable of such introspection, that is. 

Still, never say never, as the politics of convenience can lead to strange bedfellows. How would Anwar reconcile this with years of PH spent denouncing a kleptocratic and kakistocratic (allegedly! allegedly!) Umno and the hordes of criminal and graft charges levelled at several Umno leaders *cough Najib cough Zahid*?

Let’s not forget that this is the same guy who started as an Islamist, became a Malay nationalist with Umno, before later getting into bed with parties he had previously been rivals with, until finally allying with the very man who destroyed his career and jailed him. The guy has had as many ‘spouses’ as Liz Taylor! So, should anybody really be surprised he’s now giving Umno the come-hither look?

But watch out Anwar cos another opposition MP – former Sabah chief minister Shafie Apdal – is also eyeing that cushy Putrajaya PM throne. At the same time, Bersatu-loving Umno man Annuar Musa is continuing to push for the holy triumvirate of Umno-Bersatu-PAS.

Oh, BT-Dubs, the ghosts of PH past have come to haunt the latest frog, ex-PKR man Xavier Jayakumar. Videos of him slamming past party hoppers and the unelected PN gomen –– which he’s now supporting ––  have been making the rounds. 

Speaking of party hopping, Anwar’s claimed several more of his MPs have received offers and/or threats to jump ship. He’s seeking a date with the MACC to nip this in the bud.