The southern peninsula state has always been considered the impregnable fortress of the ruling coalition. But now, a crack has appeared, and Johor DAP leaders are welcoming it with open arms.

"There is no doubt that Johor is no longer the bastion for BN as it once was.

"We are certainly aware of the difficulties ahead for the opposition, but the latest development broke a psychological barrier, said DAP's Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong.

Liew was responding to the appointment of former Umno Jorak assemblyperson Shahruddin Salleh as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary-general, which led to BN losing its two-third majority in the state assembly for the first time.

Similarly, Johor state opposition leader Gan Peck Cheng said "history has been made".

The Penggaram assemblyperson believes that the new development would be the start of something important in Johor, as well as in national politics.

Gan also said Shahruddin crossing over the political divide would strengthen cooperation among opposition parties in Johor.

Praising Shahruddin's "vast knowledge and experience", she said these factors would be useful for the opposition in conquering and administering Johor in the future.

"I am confident that the opposition will be stronger in facing Umno led by (Prime Minister) Najib Abdul Razak," Gan added.

The Johor state assembly has 56 seats, with the opposition taking 18 in the last general election.

With Shahruddin quiting Umno, the opposition now has a third of the seats in the state assembly.