If the fresh strategies for a 'New Malaysia', just announced by the country's battered opposition coalition of just two parties, take hold, the government of outgoing Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad may lose ground once again.

That, at least, is the hope of Barisan Alternatif, which unveiled on Sunday calls for a 'New Malaysia' based on justice and equality, in order to boost flagging morale ahead of a general election widely expected early next year.

They are aiming for a repeat of the results of the 1999 election, where the ruling Barisan Nasional led by Mahathir lost two states.

The majority of the people are ready for change, the leaders said at the end of a convention on Sunday attended by over 2,000 supporters of PAS and Parti Rakyat Keadilan (Keadilan).

If they win power, the opposition parties pledged to end race-based politics and the Malays-first affirmative action policies - the two mainstays of the ruling government that Mahathir inherited and consolidated during his 22-year tenure.

Mahathir hands over power to his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Oct 31. Abdullah is widely expected to seek a fresh mandate soon although elections are due only in November 2004.

Abolishing ISA

In a 16-point declaration, the opposition parties pledged to abolish the Internal Security Act that provides for detention without trial and at least a dozen other laws that restrict press freedom, free speech, free publication and freedom of assembly.

''We will end racial bigotry, social injustice and abolish unlawful detention and end all punishment without just cause,'' said PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

They also pledge to free former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is serving a 15-year jail term for corruption and sodomy - charges that the former heir to Mahathir claims were framed.

Only after a major restructuring can Malaysia become a united, just and truly democratic country, they said.

In the new Malaysia, Islamic values will be the way of life of the people but people have freedom of worship without compulsion.

''The government propaganda has it that the opposition is divided and dying but our 'New Malaysia' declaration shows we are alive and ready for battle,'' said Dr Syed Husein Ali, deputy president of Keadilan.

''There is a keen perception in society that the country's resources have been used by and for the benefit of the ruling elite and their cronies - the people generally feel like outsiders,'' he told IPS in an interview.

''We want to return the country and its resources back to the people,'' he said.

''The people must assert their rights in the coming election,'' added Syed Husin.

Restoring integrity

PAS vice president Mustapha Ali said there is an urgent need to restore the integrity of public institutions like the judiciary, the Election Commission, the Anti-Corruption Agency and the police.

''The key issue is that people are aware of the damages under Mahathir's rule but they need convincing that we, the opposition front, can bring about the changes,'' he told IPS.

The opposition parties stepped up the rhetoric, saying there is an urgent need to redress the excesses under Mahathir's tenure, like the jailing of Anwar and other political opponents, repressive laws against free speech, abuse of police powers and irreparable damage of civil institutions.

The government information machinery on the other hand credits Mahathir for the country's economic development, racial peace and turning this small South-east Asian country into a global player.

''There is only a change of leaders not a change of policies - why change policies that have brought success?'' says Abdullah, who however has promised to wipe out corruption.

Uphill task

Rhetoric aside, the opposition coalition faces an uphill task to unseat the government, now without Mahathir at the helm. Many things are stacked up against them during the election - government patronage, machinery, control over the media.

The government has conceded that the opposition's success in the 1999 general election came on the back of anger over the sacking and jailing of Anwar. They however said Anwar's reformasi wave has since subsided and that the 1999 performance could not be repeated.

It is difficult to independently assess Anwar's impact on Malay voters - the traditional support base of the ruling coalition. But in the most recent by-elections last year, Malay support seems equally divided for the opposition and the government, leaving non-Muslim votes a crucial factor for the government.

Non-Muslims, who form about 35 percent of nine million voters, fear PAS and its Islamic agenda and, like in the 1999 election, are expected to back the ruling coalition again despite overtures by PAS to address their fears.

The walkout by the mainly Chinese DAP party out of the political opposition has seriously damaged the opposition front's arguments among the Chinese Malaysian voters, who analysts said would prefer voting for the government than for the opposition DAP.

Additional seats

The numbers also work against the opposition. The Election Commission has added additional parliamentary seats in areas where the government enjoys traditional support, like in Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.

''The tendency is for Malaysians is to bid a hearty farewell to Mahathir and welcome Abdullah - voters will give Abdullah a chance to show his mettle,''said former deputy premier Musa Hitam.

''I don't expect the government to face any serious problems at the polls,'' he added.

A BN rally last week to bid farewell to Mahathir seems to bear this out. Over 40,000 people packed a stadium to hear Mahathir urge the people to back Abdullah.

''He is my successor and he will lead the Barisan Nasional, he will deliver,'' said the premier.

One note of disquiet was however the fact that majority of the supporters were Chinese and Indian Malaysians, instead of the Malays on which Mahathir's forces have long leaned on for political support.

''Where are the Malays? Are they still with Anwar?'' asked a grassroots leader who requested anonymity. - IPS