Pakatan Rakyat must decide whether it is dead or alive before mockery descends into an outright derision.

If this loose, unregistered, informal political coalition wants to govern this country one day, now is the time to show its loyal supporters that it can make an important decision such as this.

Do it soon and move on.

Leaders from PKR, DAP and PAS have proven that they can rule the states but they are not showing the maturity expected of them.

Unusual statements on the current state of affairs are not doing their reputation any good.

Just because their ideologies are different, this does not mean they can’t speak in one voice. They can and they have.

However, that appears not to be the case now.

Pakatan is now 'dead', 'married', 'divorced but still friends', 'live on in substance' or just 'pengsan' (fainted).

Apparently, it has 'ceased to function formally' but yet is 'salvageable'. One even asked, 'Who says Pakatan no longer exists?'

What is all this?

Your supporters had so much hope for you. Many still do.

You have come a long way but you are now just letting them down with your indecisiveness.

Don’t forget that almost 51 percent of the voters chose you in the 2013 general election, winning the popular vote for the first time.

In many democratic countries, you would already be the ruling government.

So prove your worth to these voters. They may not even be members of PKR, DAP or PAS, but they still voted for you.

You must be able to tell them that if you were to be in Putrajaya now, the country would be in good hands.

Can you say that?

Supporters have the right to know

In every ceramah since Pakatan Rakyat was established after the 2008 general election, we have heard the hardcore supporters shouting “Pakatan, Pakatan, Pakatan”.

You owe it to them, too. They have the right to know whether they can keep shouting the same slogan or keep their mouths shut and not waste their time.

So what should Pakatan do now?

Set up a meeting soon. Yes, the three of you.

What better time than the holy month of Ramadan to discuss and make a decision?

When you come out from the meeting room, your answer to the question whether Pakatan is 'dead or alive' must be either 'yes' or 'no'.

If Pakatan is dead, say so. Let the whole, wide world know.

The three parties then can proceed with their respective struggles and agenda.  

All beginnings must come to an end.

The fact that they have lasted for seven years is an amazing feat by itself.

PKR, DAP and PAS have achieved something unthinkable, that is denying BN a two-thirds majority - in two general elections in a row.

Pakatan is certainly broken now.

But the three must not forget that despite their differences, they have one common goal - to replace BN as the next government of the day.

G JEGATHESAN is a member of the Malaysiakini Team.