There is something about an audience abroad that drives Pakatan Rakyat leaders to sing a different tune. In 2012, it was Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim continuing a tradition of telling Western audiences what they want to hear (the sodomy laws would be 'reviewed' and he is a 'staunch' defender of Israel).

In 2013, it is Lim Guan Eng telling Malaysian students abroad that a strong Opposition – by which he means Pakatan – is good for Malaysia. Guan Eng believing that Pakatan Rakyat is good is nothing new. However, there is a profound change from Guan Eng's rhetoric at home, where he has come close to suggesting that Pakatan is the rightful Government.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak is clearly determined to use his mandate to both expand the Government's efforts on behalf of all Malaysians, and to make education reform one of Barisan Nasional's signature issues.

Speaking at the Women Deliver 2013 Third Global Conference in KL, the Prime Minister stressed the value of education without gender discrimination in advancing Malaysia socially, politically and economically.

Singapore's Straits Times has joined the growing consensus that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's combination of personal popularity, reform programmes and canny political manoeuvres have allowed him to solidify his position as President of Umno and Prime Minister. This will allow him to launch his national reconciliation programme and to redouble his transformation programmes from his first term.

The Straits Times is something of a latecomer to this conclusion, which most observers saw confirmed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's endorsement of Najib in Tokyo last week. Shortly after the election, the paper suggested that Najib's time was up and speculated on his replacement.

Three weeks later, a great deal has changed. Najib's reform Cabinet has quieted both Umno's warlords and reformers. Viewing the landscape of the party, Tun Mahathir has signalled to the old guard that their own preferences are not the way forward for the party, making clear that there is no alternative to Najib.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat 'advisor' Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lodged a police report against the Election Commission regarding the indelible ink used to mark voters on May 5.

He claimed the chosen ink was ineffective and that by 5 pm he had been able to wash the substance clean from his finger.

"I voted at 9.30 am in Kubang Semang in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency. I washed my finger marked with the indelible ink at 5 pm of the same day and the stain was washed off," he said.

The Choice won't dwell on the fact that this would have left Anwar precious little time to try voting again, but it is worth noting nonetheless just how seriously the Election Commission is taking the matter.