Even with the present ruling Barisan Nasional coalition's seemingly weak position, the opposition parties are unlikely to break the BN's hold on power, said a prominent Kuching-based academic.

The academic, who declined to be identified, explained that the opposition was fragmented due to a preoccupation with self-serving interests and not engaging themselves with practical issues affecting the electorate.

"PKR is an 'utterly disorganised' outfit, PAS has been marginalising non-Muslims and DAP is overly Chinese chauvinistic... these are examples of a 'myopic' and ego-driven opposition," he said.

Furthermore, he believed that the electorate was unlikely to push for change as it has been circumvented numerous times by BN's tendency to use repressive laws and ethnic and religious sentiments against the opposition.

"What could possibly happen is a new leader or group committed to social, political and economic reforms emerging from within the BN," the public university lecturer told malaysiakini.

Buy US last?

He said the situation would be akin to the rejuvenation of Japan's longest ruling party, Liberal Democratic Party under outgoing Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

On Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin's call for Malaysia to boycott US goods due to the latter's policies in the Middle East, the academic warned that such a campaign would cause more harm to Malaysia's economy.

"Like the Buy British Last during the 80s, such a policy would be detrimental to Malaysia as 60 percent of its foreign currencies come from trading with the US, and Khairy, being highly educated is aware of that,

"Thus his comments are nothing more than political posturing," he added.