With a little over a week for the much awaited general elections in Malaysia, the opposition alliance led by former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim is confident that it is "one step closer" to end the ruling coalition's 56-year-long grip on power.
The opposition alliance comprises Democratic Action Party (DAP), Islamic fundamentalist PAS and People's Party.
Lim Kit Siang, DAP adviser said he was encouraged by his visits to Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Mas Gading and Serian in Sabah and Sarawak states that "the winds of change were blowing strong and hard".
He asked voters to "rise up to the historic challenge" of winning 33 parliamentary seats in the three ruling party, Barisan Nasional, "fixed deposit states" - Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.
Lim said he also expected the opposition alliance to not only win at least one-third of the parliamentary seats in each of the three states, but to achieve a higher collective target of 33 parliamentary seats.
He said the coalition is "one step closer" to oust the current government.
Meanwhile, the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) said it is disappointed with the government's decision to hold poll on a Sunday.
"CCM wishes to register its disappointment that the 13th General Election's polling day is held on Sunday.
He asked the Election Commission to be more sensitive by giving due consideration to all religious groups when determining polling day in future.
Malaysia is a Muslim majority country.
The Barisan's current mandate ends on April 30. There are 222 seats in Parliament for mandate and control of 12 of Malaysia's 13 states.
