ARTICLES

6 Feb 2023

PAS and the Midterm Polls: Existential Challenge of Becoming a National Party

James Chai

In the coming state elections, Parti Islam SeMalaysia has ambitious plans to take ground in states it does not control. Taking the fight to the enemy, however, may necessitate a deeper examination of its own identity as an Islamist party.

Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

29 Nov 2022

Malaysia’s New PM: The Need to Get It Right for the Country

Norshahril Saat

Malaysia’s new premier Anwar Ibrahim has made the right moves in his first week in office. Going forward, however, he has a slew of challenges.

9 Nov 2022

Identity Politics Might Undermine Malay/Muslim Unity

Norshahril Saat

Three broad coalitions are gunning for the Malay/ Muslim vote in Malaysia’s general election. The question is whether voters still regard the issues of race and religion as important.

Identity Politics Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

8 Nov 2022

Pakatan Harapan and Malay Heartland Voters: The Need to Stay Grounded

Mohd Faizal Musa

Pakatan Harapan has its work cut out for it in seeking to defend or even take new seats in Malay-majority constituencies. In such seats, the coalition needs to work close to the ground and address quotidian issues, rather than stressing national-level matters.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

7 Nov 2022

GE15: Parti Amanah Negara’s Strong and Volatile Seats

Mohd Faizal Musa

Amanah, the progressive Islamist party, will be contesting in as many as 54 seats in Malaysia’s general elections. The prospect of many multi-cornered fights suggests that the party faces an uphill battle to retain the eleven parliamentary seats it now holds.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

7 Nov 2022

Zooming In on the Government Zoomers Want

James Chai

Political parties and coalitions campaigning in Malaysia’s general election will do better if they take note of the concerns of Gen Z voters.

Demography Malaysia Malaysian Elections

25 Oct 2022

The Progressive Islamists: Can Amanah Triumph Against PAS?

Mohd Faizal Musa

Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), which was formed from the more progressive elements of the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), is turning out to be a formidable rival to its PAS for the Muslim vote.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

21 Oct 2022

PAS’s Election Gambit: Having it Both Ways?

Azmil Tayeb

Malaysia’s Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) appears to be undecided over whether to join forces with the United Malays National Organisation or Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia. Hesitation, however, is not indecision: PAS is hedging its bets for more leverage.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

14 Oct 2022

Malaysia’s Electoral Cycle – Now Two-Level Chess?

Francis E. Hutchinson

Only a small number of Malaysian states are likely to hold their state elections in tandem with the national election. This might not be a bad thing, since more attention might be put on local issues and the quality of state governments.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics