COMMENT | When Johor caretaker menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi says he would rather step aside than govern with DAP, it should not come as a surprise.

Umno and DAP have never been natural partners. For decades, they defined themselves in opposition to each other. That did not suddenly disappear after the last general election.

The current cooperation exists because of necessity, not alignment.

After a hung Parliament, political stability became the priority. On the advice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, parties that once opposed each other formed a government. It was a practical decision to avoid prolonged uncertainty.

Practicality does not erase history.

BN did not enter this arrangement out of ideological agreement. It entered to...