A few weeks ago, we argued that Gerakan's only realistic political option was to remain within the Barisan Nasional and hope that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim takes over power at the federal level pushing the BN into the opposition.

A month later, circumstances have changed and Gerakan finds itself increasingly under pressure to seriously consider leaving BN. We now argue that Gerakan should take its destiny into its own hands and 'temporarily' leave the BN without joining Pakatan Rakyat.

What has changed in the past month which made us change our minds? Two things.