Efforts to initiate a counter-coup against the Perikatan Nasional government appears to be on shaky ground as Pakatan Harapan and its allies struggle to break a deadlock between disputed Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

At the centre of the dispute is Mahathir's offer for Anwar to become deputy prime minister while he takes the premiership for six months for a swan song before handing over the power - something that is not agreeable to PKR...