KUALA LUMPUR - Cracks have begun to show in Malaysia's ruling and opposition pacts less than 10 days since they both staked claim to the majority in Parliament, putting Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in a chancy position where just a handful of disgruntled defectors can make the difference between his lasting the rest of the term or the country plunging into political chaos yet again.

Although Tan Sri Muhyiddin, the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president, appears to have appeased most factions in his Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, one party president rejected the offered deputy ministership and quarrels over control of state governments have broken out.