Some international observers are suggesting that the Burmese generals’ callous disregard of their people’s plight in the wake of Cyclone Nargis could eventually prove the long-overdue death-blow to their calamitous regime.

Many Malaysians are sensing the winds of change too. They wonder whether the gust of disgust stirred-up by the use of sedition charges against those accusing deputy premier Nazib Abdul Razak of complicity in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder will develop into a cyclone that finally sweeps Barisan Nasional (BN) out of office.

Unfortunately, however, both scenarios smack more of wishful thinking than of real or at least imminent possibility. Or do they?