Lim Kit Siang claimed that Umno had the Malay hinterland sealed and locked up for decades. But this has changed.

The DAP veteran credited Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) for altering the political landscape.

“We can feel the beginning of a new political awakening among the Malays in the rural areas and Felda settlements, which had hitherto been inaccessible to other political parties previously, whether DAP, PKR, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) or even PAS,” Lim said in a statement today.

However, Lim appeared to be concerned about whether a tsunami of the same magnitude, witnessed in the last general election, would be generated in the urban areas this time around.

The DAP veteran conceded that those who voted for change in the last election had been disappointed with the situation in the opposition, including the disintegration of Harapan's predecessor Pakatan Rakyat, which has led them to believe that a change of government would not happen in the coming election.

However, Lim claimed that Harapan's new structure, logo and leadership line-up, which sees Mahathir at the helm of the opposition coalition, has ignited fresh hope.

Therefore, the Gelang Patah MP said, attempts must be made to convince those who have lost confidence.

“We must re-energise and re-inspire the many who had helped to create the political tsunami in GE13 but have lost hope that the electoral process is capable of producing any political change – to get them back into the hustings and the political campaigns to ensure that they have the stamina and perseverance to replicate in GE14 what was achieved in GE13.

“An urban tsunami without a rural tsunami will not effect political change in Putrajaya.

“A rural tsunami, without an urban tsunami, because of loss of hope and confidence in the ability of the electoral process to effect political change, would be equally fruitless and futile,” Lim added.

However, Umno is not convinced that a Malay tsunami would take place in the next general election.

Observers have also not ruled out the possibility of a lower voter turnout due to the disenchantment with the opposition.

There are also those who are disappointed with the opposition for working with Mahathir, and appointing him as chairperson, given the latter's actions during his 22-year tenure as prime minister.

Haparan leaders, however, argued that Mahathir's influence is crucial and urged supporters to focus on the current issues, such as the 1MDB scandal, instead of dwelling on the past.