The age of the political frenemy

Voting puzzle: Voters queuing to cast their ballots at a polling centre in Negri Sembilan yesterday. As the political map grows more fragmented and alliances and divisions shift, voters will need to adjust expectations. — Bernama

POLITICAL friend + political enemy = political frenemy. I define the term as a party/coalition that functions simultaneously as a partner and a rival, entering alliances out of strategic necessity when competing for power, seats, or influence.

In other words, what we are witnessing today is the rise of the frenemy: a political party or coalition that acts as a friendly partner on one stage, but turns into an outright rival the moment they step onto another.