The onus is on the public to save Malaysia from oppression as the opposition is not fit to do so, said a veteran activist.

Former Ops Lalang detainee Irene Xavier said the opposition in its current form cannot even get its act together to topple Umno when it is at its weakest.

"The opposition lacks political vision and organisational strategy. It can't get its own act together even on basic matters.

"It is so focused on its own parties that it doesn't mind sacrificing each other for its own interests," Irene said.

Speaking to the media after a talk titled 'Mahathirism vs. Najibism' last night, Irene cited the squabbling between DAP and PAS as an example.

Fighting between DAPhave and PAS on matters such as hudud, she pointed out, had led to the dissolution of the opposition pact, Pakatan Rakyat.

Thus, she said, the people must take it upon themselves to fight for a better future.

Up to the rakyat

She had high hopes for this, saying that unlike Singapore, Malaysians are still able to think freely and make up their own minds.

"That element (willingness to speak up on the issues close to their hearts) is still present in our country and that is our strength."

"This is what will get us out of the mess that politicians of all divide have got us into.

"Maybe it will take a long time but I still believe in the power of the people," she said.

The squabbling federal opposition parties have disillusioned many pro-reform activists and the rakyat, who once put great store in the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat as a viable alternative to the ruling BN government.

Even the newly-formed Pakatan Harapan reconstituted out of the ashes of the old opposition pact, has been greeted with scepticism by friends and foes alike.

Most are expecting a repeat performance of the Pakatan break-up.

Harapan, however, has vowed to do things differently and promised to perform better.

However, it is too early to tell if it too will eventually fall prey to the same infighting and sabotage that had led Pakatan to its ruin.