Smoke and mirrors: 'Shafie as PM' diverts attention from actual impasse

AS soon as Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic) was announced by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Pakatan Harapan's purported candidate for prime minister, there was hope that the impasse over who it should be was coming to an end.

For others, it wasn't anything new. Leaders aligned with the top echelon of DAP and Parti Amanah Negara have been openly floating Shafie's name in recent weeks – but this gained minimal traction.