Former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, often referred to as the "Oracle" by admirers because of his accurate prediction of the outcomes of previous elections, has said that Malaysia's ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) may be defeated in next week's general election.

Tun Daim, who created ripples this week by declaring his backing for Malaysia's main opposition coalition, said yesterday that Prime Minister Najib Razak's administration had underestimated widespread public anger over the rising cost of living and corruption in government.