The bitter enmity now existing between the two men who two years ago were hailed as the 'perfect team' to lead Malaysia was reflected in the High Court testimony of one and the public remarks of the other last week.
The Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, accused Anwar Ibrahim, his one-time heir apparent, of lying, causing the economy to collapse and not being qualified to be even a junior leader because he was a homosexual.
Anwar, the former deputy prime minister, taking the witness stand for the first time at his sodomy trial, named four 'master conspirators', including two cabinet ministers and Dr Mahathir's political secretary, behind a 'plot' to have him removed from power with 'fabricated' charges. He also accused Dr Mahathir of brushing aside corruption allegations against two ministers and a former state chief minister.
Analysts believe that much of what Dr Mahathir and Anwar say these days is influenced by the impending general election, which could hold the key to their futures.
Dr Mahathir needs to counter voter antipathy towards him and the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the dominant government party, over the sacking and arrest of Anwar.
In April, the former deputy prime minister was found guilty of corruption and jailed for six years. His sodomy trial began in June.
For five years, Anwar had been Dr Mahathir's deputy, seated next to him at official functions and prominently featured in the media. He was a popular figure and many Malaysians did not believe he could be guilty of the charges against him.