In Kuala Lumpur
THE recent political upheaval in Malaysia's northern Perak state is proving so divisive that some friends can no longer talk politics without ending up insulting each other.
Such arguments have spilled over onto the Internet, onto such seemingly harmless conduits such as the social network of Facebook, where "friends" attack each other with insults as they fervently support their own parties, justify or condemn the other's actions.
Some have hailed Barisan Nasional's move to take over the state government in Perak, and poked fun at former chief minister Nizar Jamaluddin's infamous quote of asking to "mohon derhaka" or "go against the Sultan". The opposition's supporters have decried the BN supporters' "poor memories" and recounted past instances of how the BN had gone against the monarchy.
Then there are those who have thrown in the towel and decided that enough is enough.
The sheer volume of political developments have caused many a Malaysian to simply give up discussing politics. Many just cannot keep up anymore with the numerous day-to-day developments.
Today, for example, was another dramatic day in Malaysia. It was a public holiday for some states, when things are normally quiet. But the word "quiet" just does not apply to Malaysia any more - even on public holidays.
A Perak opposition MP, Roslan Shaharum from Parti Islam SeMalaysia, died of a heart attack suddenly today, paving the way for a fresh by-election in the state plagued by a constitional deadlock, as two chief ministers claim their right to rule the normally peaceful laid-back state.
In northern Kedah state, a state legislator, V. Arumugam of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, gave up his state seat, also making way for a by-election, adding to the opposition's woes. There have been two by-elections in the country already since the March 2008 general elections. These two would bump up the total to four.
Meanwhile, there have been calls from Democratic Action Party chairman Karpal Singh for the resignation of Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Anwar Ibrahim as opposition leader due to the recent fiasco, but the party said it stood by him.
Many, 30-year-old executive Aisha Yaacob, says she is simply fed up with the political squabbling. "I am just so tired of all the drama... Our local politics is much better than watching tv soap opera. It's like a rollercoaster."
One year on after the March 2008 elections, which saw the opposition erode the ruling BN's two-thirds majority in Parliament, many feel that both sides should no longer be engrossed in such politicking.
Some say this feels like the longest general election ever, and with no obvious resolution revealing itself yet, as politicians get distracted amid an economic downturn.
"Maybe once we start to sink into economic morass, then the political fighting will stop," said a Malaysian journalist who declined to be named.