Sungai Bakap: A Wake Up Call to Buck Up
The recently concluded by-election for the semi-rural Sungai Bakap state seat in Penang was seen as an opportunity for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity coalition of coalitions to demonstrate that...
View ArticlePAS’ Contentious Contention: Non-Malay Voters Should Stay Home
“We lost the narrative,” is how Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow described Pakatan Harapan (PH)’s loss in the Sungai Bakap state by-election to Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS). Most analysts and...
View ArticleMahkota By-election in Johor: Far-reaching Consequences for Government
An obscure constituency in central Johor is set to hold its by-election on 28 September, following the death of Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). The...
View ArticleCan National Parties Outshine Local Champions in Sabah?
The ongoing debates among political elites in Sabah centre on the belief that the state should be led by local parties, perceived as more capable of serving Sabah’s interests and advocating for the...
View ArticleThe Waning of Malaysia’s Green Wave? Too Early to Call
The result of the most recent by-election in Malaysia was unexpected for most. Barisan Nasional (BN) defeated incumbent Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Nenggiri by-election, in contrast to the series...
View ArticleBarisan Nasional’s Win in Nenggiri: A Tactical Victory
Fresh from Pakatan Harapan (PH)’s loss in the Sungai Bakap state by-election in Penang, Malaysia’s “Madani” coalition — which combines PH with its former foe Barisan Nasional (BN) — has won a...
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The Battle for Sabah: Key Players, Critical Issues and Potential Scenarios
INTRODUCTION Although the current term of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly is scheduled to expire only in December 2025, there is widespread speculation about an early election. Sabah’s political...
View ArticleDAP’s Party Polls in Penang: Partial Peace or Personality Politics?
The Democratic Action Party (DAP), a key component of Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, has just concluded its election in Penang. The polls, which are held every three years for...
View ArticleMahkota By-election: DAP Retains Status as Leading Party for Chinese Malaysians
Barisan Nasional (BN) won a September by-election in Johor despite initial fears that it might suffer a boycott by Chinese and Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters. The victory was due largely to the...
View ArticleLoopholes in Malaysia’s Anti-Defection Law
In parliamentary democracies, the electorate determines which party or coalition controls parliament and forms the next government. Regrettably, the practice of “party-hopping”, “floor crossing” or...
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