Veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin does not discount the possibility of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak having formed an alliance with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"If Anwar can shower his love on (former prime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad for 16 years in Umno and the government, it is not impossible for Anwar to be smooching Najib," he said.

Kadir added that the two could have joined hands to deflect the criticism from Mahathir and his close associate, ex-finance minister Daim Zainuddin.

Kadir claimed that the pair's criticism of the current administration is considered a threat by Najib which could undermine his position.

This threat, he added, must be dealt with immediately, whereas the danger posed by Anwar could wait.

"There may be a quid pro quo (something for something) understanding between Najib and Anwar since both have issues to iron out, or to reduce the impact (of some issues).

"Birds of a feather stick together," he said in his blog.

However, Kadir argued that if this was a chess match, Anwar knows that it would be easier to take out Najib compared to Mahathir and Daim.

On the same note, the former New Straits Times group editor-in-chief said the opposition leader could have walked into a trap as well.

He said Najib was aware that Mahathir, Daim and Anwar remained influential on the government.

"So, to put the three former old friends at loggerheads is a wise move. Apart from losing credibility and audience, the mainstream media has nothing much to lose by giving Anwar space.

"And when Mahathir and Daim are slandered and finished off, Anwar will remain as the sole foe who can be easily handled," Kadir added.

Speculation about a Najib-Anwar tag team surfaced after Umno-linked media such as TV3 and Utusan Malaysia provided space for the opposition leader and PKR to run down Daim.

Change policies, or change leader

Meanwhile, another Mahathir strongman has crawled out of the woodwork to share his thoughts on the current scenario.

Defending the former prime minister, Sanusi Junid said Mahathir only wanted what is best for Umno and BN.

"I know Mahathir. He wants Umno and BN to win. He thinks BN must change its policies.

"If the policies are not changed, then the person must be changed. That is his thinking. He does not want Umno and BN to lose," added Sanusi, a former minister and former Kedah menteri besar, in a video uploaded in pro-Umno blogs.

Whereas, Sanusi said, Najib also wanted Umno and BN to win in the polls, but with him at the helm.

"That is the difference. Those who are against Mahathir want to maintain the status quo. They want to keep the present policies and people," he added.

Sanusi also cautioned that if Mahathir's views were correct, then those in Umno and BN must pay a dear price.

“We will regret when we lose. By then it will be too late. Mahathir doesn't want to be blamed should we lose," he said.