A clampdown by authorities, the absence of a forceful leader, a nationalist backlash and emotional fatigue have taken their toll and weekly demonstrations in the heart of the capital have died down. Authorities, tipped off by a network of sources, have mobilised large numbers of baton-wielding riot police to confront protesters, and arrested more than 500 people. Human rights groups have alleged the use of excessive force.``There appears to be a lull,'' a diplomat said.

Middle class Malaysians, better known for mild manners than defiant ways, were demonstrating in the streets just a few weeks ago.

Now, they have chosen to sit back and carefully monitor a plethora of high-profile legal cases involving Anwar and touching on civil liberties.Statements by US vice-presidentAl Gore and international financier George Soros backing Anwar have triggered a backlash among supporters of prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, the main target of Anwar's incipient movement. Gore openly endorsed Anwar's ``reformasi'' movement on the margins of last month's Asia-Pacific summit in Kuala Lumpur, sparking a firestorm of criticism by Mahathir's allies while the prime minister struck a statesmanlike stance.

Soros added fuel last week when he called for Mahathir's ouster and Anwar's release from prison. Mahathir's political supporters were quick to excoriate Soros, who has repeatedly jousted with Mahathir since the Malaysian leader lashed out at currency speculators as the cause of Asia's financial crisis.

Soros ``has chosen to destroy the economy of developing nations and for this, he must be punished,'' works minister Samy Vellu said, without elaborating. Mahathir again sought to stand above the fray. ``Let's talk about more interesting things,'' he told reporters on Saturday when asked tocomment on Soros's remarks.

For Mahathir, the statements by Gore and Soros were political gifts. During his 17 years in power, Mahathir has engaged in countless battles with foreign powers. Now, eager for a scapegoat to ease his political discomfort, Mahathir has found the United States and foreign speculators No leader has emerged to replace Anwar at the head of the ``reformasi'' movement. His wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, is reluctant to risk arrest by holding illegal rallies.

Several of Anwar's allies were arrested along with him in September under the draconian Internal Security Act. All but a handful have been released, but they have largely kept their silence.

One of them has said he will explore forming a ``Reformasi'' party. But Anwar has not openly broken with Mahathir's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which expelled him in September.

The nation's attention has been gripped by testimony in Anwar's corruption and sex trial as well as the legal cases that have multiplied in thehigh-stakes battle between the dismissed cabinet minister and his former political mentor.

Anwar's trial on five counts each of corruption and sodomy is scheduled to last until mid-1999. The attorney-general has said Anwar will then face fresh sex charges.

Other cases have kept a spotlight on Anwar and his grievances, including his allegation that he was beaten while in police custody. A special police team has submitted a report on the alleged beating to the attorney-general.

This week, a Kuala Lumpur court takes up charges against the author of the book, ``Fifty reasons why Anwar Ibrahim cannot become prime minister,'' which was published in June and thrust the lurid allegations against Anwar into the public limelight.

Anwar has accused the author of maliciously publishing false news.Other cases revolve around Anwar's contention that he was sacked unconstitutionally, a jail sentence against one of his nine lawyers for contempt of court and the former minister's efforts to win bail.

ChandraMuzaffar, a University of Malaya professor and leading critic of the government, said the ``reformasi'' movement had not faded away.

``Events of the past months have been an awakening for the Malay middle class,'' he said. ``They are concerned over the use of the institutions of governance -- the judiciary, police, media. For the first time, this is a mainstream issue.'' Diplomats say Anwar's backers could quickly take to the streets again if events took a turn against him or his wife.

But what recourse for ``reformasi'' if not in the streets ? ``Eventually it will be through the ballot box,'' Chandra said. ``The opposition cannot ignore the Anwar factor. For the first time the opposition parties are cooperating over issues, not just for political gain.''

Malaysia's next general elections need not be called until April 2000.