COMMENT | It seems strange and intriguing that many people are confused and so presumptuous on three major aspects of the current political impasse in the country.

The government still has a wafer-thin majority, despite being able to pass through Budget 2021 as requested by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The earlier concern about the risk of a government shutdown from January 2021 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, is now no longer an issue.

So, the gloves appear to be off now in a new and most intensive round of power struggle so far, to form a new government between certain factions within and across the political divides, involving mainly Malay-based political parties (Bersatu, Umno, PAS, and PKR).

Firstly, contrary to the assumption of many analysts, the government can be legitimately brought down at any time and there is no need for Parliament to convene and decide on a vote of confidence or no confidence.

It is public knowledge (and the wise and well-informed King knows it too) that the government has only a majority of two to three MPs.

All it requires to bring the government down legitimately is...