COMMENT Those unfamiliar with the political terrain of this nation could be forgiven for assuming that Dr Mahathir Mohamad is the new opposition leader.

A single blog posting by the Umno patriarch appears to have inflicted greater damage than the crescendo of voices from the opposition.

There was nothing new in Mahathir’s latest assault for Pakatan Rakyat has bombarded Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak with the same ordnance for years - the murder of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu.

But when Mahathir opened fire, the entire nation sat up and took notice while political pundits check their crystal balls to see if Najib can survive this latest attack.

In Umno, there is widespread silence as leaders from top to bottom twiddle their fingers wondering if it would be wise to engage the old man...