Malaysia's 'prisoner's political dilemma': Choices ahead

COMMENT | After a day where the political showdown between interim Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim over Malaysia’s future came starkly into the open with both men holding press conferences stating different visions for government and leadership, the Agong faces what can be seen as the country’s prisoner’s dilemma.

A "prisoner’s dilemma" is a situation where two individuals acting in their own self-interests do not produce the optimal outcome. Both men – Mahathir and Anwar - think they are right in "saving the nation" and "saving democracy and the people’s mandate". They believe they are doing the right thing for the country, but, sadly, those being held prisoner in this situation are the Malaysian people.

Let’s look carefully at the main three options ahead...