COMMENT | They had been in each other’s crosshairs for more than five decades. One was accused of promoting communist ideology, and the other wasted no time in retorting with accusations of its leader being involved in corruption.

It is said that there are no permanent enemies in politics, and no one ever imagined that they come together as two peas in a pod. To use Bahasa Malaysia terminology, they have become macam abang-adik (like brothers).

The past was erased as if it were forever. Despite a lone ranger from one side delivering body blows and hitting below the belt, the other side neither retaliated nor attempted to get even.