Kuala Lampur, Aug. 15 -- Trust in politics is considerably more intricate than friendship, personal chemistry or the absence of disagreement.

Two political leaders can disagree intensely over elections and party strategy while continuing to trust each other on the larger questions of government, institutional responsibility and national stability.

This distinction is essential to understanding the relationship between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi following the Negeri Sembilan state election.

Trust ultimately involves a willingness to accept vulnerability. When one leader shares information, intentions or strategy with another, he accepts the possibility that such information could subsequent...