Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is on a fishing trip. He has thrown the line, sinker and baited hook into the murky and turbulent Malaysia's political sea.

Keadilan and PRM wouldn't want anything to do with it. PAS nibbles at the bait, while mindful of the hidden hook lest it be fished out only to be starved of oxygen. Sensing the nibbles, Mahathir makes the bait even more tantalising.

While PAS could playfully entertain Mahathir's offer in order to test the latter's sincerity, perhaps inadvertently reveals his weakness in the process, it would be wise for the oppositionist to be vigilant lest they be unknowingly led into the trap.

Mahathir has no match in the game of realpolitik in this land. He is more than a survivor. He thrives on crises. He is one leader who can master any situation. Look, how he conducts himself since the crisis precipitated by the sacking of Anwar. He has done the David Copperfield sleight-of-hand all along.

Well, the crisis is not over yet, but be reminded that he is not a quitter. He is, for all intents and purposes, a fighter to the core.

At 75, his only enemy now is time.

Ultimately, PAS, Keadilan, DAP and PRM would be better off not to engage Mahathir in the game he knows best, Machiavellian and realpolitik.