When the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) fast-tracked the tabling of draft legislation on the Islamic penal code, or hudud, proposed by its political rival, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Malaysians from across the political spectrum reacted with shock. According to Dr Mohd Nawab Mohd Osman, coordinator of the Malaysia Programme at RSIS, the MCA and MIC threats to leave may not have a significant impact to the coalition. “The Prime Minister is probably not too worried… Both political parties have become very weak, in fact they have become non-players.” said Dr Mohd Nawab.