ANALYSIS There is less than two weeks left before PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim discovers his fate in the Sodomy 2 trial at the Federal Court.

And the coalition he has spearheaded for the past two general elections, is looking anything but solid.

Pakatan Rakyat is in a state of ‘paralysis’ - existing as a coalition with minimal understanding and harmony among its three members - PKR, DAP and PAS.

DAP and PAS had been trading barbs openly since last year, over the PAS plan to implemnet hudud in Kelantan.

Though the issue had calmed down, PAS stirred the hornet's nest again last week by taking aim at DAP's local government elections agenda in Penang.

No more the glue holding

Anwar, often seen as the bridge for all three parties, seems unable to resolve issues for the coalition after the 13th general election as effectively as before.

His communication with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang effectively broke down during the Selangor menteri besar crisis.

During that saga, Anwar had tried, and failed, to have his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, installed as Selangor menteri besar.

His move was thwarted by Hadi's persistence and resistance against Wan Azizah becoming the MB.

Hadi has also not attended Pakatan leadership council meetings since the last general election, while the council in itself has not met for more than six months.

Critical time for Anwar and Pakatan

Meanwhile, Anwar could be imprisoned for a minimum of five years if he is found guilty of sodomising his former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan in 2008.

He was initially acquitted by the High Court, but the Court of Appeal overturned the decision and found him guilty. The Federal Court appeal will be the final leg of the court process, with the decision due on Feb 10.

And chances are, if imprisoned, Anwar will be leaving Pakatan in its weakest state since its inception, and there are very little signs that this might change in the next two weeks.

"This is a very critical time for both Anwar and Pakatan," PKR strategy director Sim Tze Tzin told Malaysiakini .

"I'm not going to deny that Pakatan has some problems, we are basically in a state of paralysis right now," Sim noted.

While he is "hopeful" something can be done within the next two weeks, he concedes that it’s unlikely.

"I think we can hope for the best, but you know, I'm just trying to be realistic," Sim said, without offering any further elaboration.

Bleak picture

Several other opposition politicians, who spoke on condition they not be named, also painted a bleak picture about Pakatan's ties being mended anytime soon.

In the twilight of his political career, Anwar looks to be overseeing a down period as well for the coalition he had so vigorously formed.

The question now is be whether he will be able to muster enough energy and invigorate the coalition one more time before the verdict comes, regardless of the result.

However, based on current evidence, the communication breakdown among the coalition members has gone to the point where Anwar might no longer be able single-handedly rescue Pakatan from its state of paralysis.

RAM ANAND is a member of Team Malaysiakini.