Progress can only come when we put aside our ideological biases and acknowledge the truth despite its inconvenience. The opposition is fractured, weak, disorganised and perceptually unfit to take on Umno-BN. The results of the two by-elections prove this.

In Sungai Besar, Umno-BN won with a 9,191-vote majority. In Kuala Kangsar, BN won with a majority of 6,969 votes. The majority BN obtained increased by almost tenfold. This despite the scandal-ridden prime minister leading the government. Even Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s showing couldn’t close the transparently obvious cracks in the opposition movement.

The prospect of a snap election is real. We see Umno veterans like Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and Musa Hitam urging this. The Malaysian prime minister himself released a statement stating that he will examine this option thoroughly. While the 14th general election is knocking on our doors, the leader of the opposition, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, is seemingly incapable of opening the door to Putrajaya.