GE13 Malaysia – Post-nomination revelations

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The multiple contests show that an underlying sense of political empowerment has taken root and extended into the candidates themselves.

Battle for Kelantan: Will PAS remain in power?

Kelantan is an opposition-held state where one does not usually expect a fierce electoral battle. But with a small vote swing enough to turn the tide, Kelantan also deserves a closer look during this coming general election.

Who can meet the expectations of the majority?

Many Malaysians are willing to move beyond the politics of fear into a brave new world, but will they be looked after?

GE2013: Religion as a permanent variable in Malaysian politics?

This general election will see the growing role of religion in politics. If in the past it was Islam, the assertiveness of the other faith communities is emerging as a factor too as they begin to claim their rights and identities.

Malaysia’s mother of all elections: A turning point?

This Malaysian general election will be the most critical battle for power between the ruling coalition and the opposition. Much is at stake: from the future of Malaysian politics to the future of two leaders – Prime Minister Najib Razak and opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim. What will GE13 lead to?

Malaysia at (yet another) crossroads

While Malaysia has achieved admirable economic success under its dominant coalition government, this has come at the expense of human rights and the free press. Now, the opposition is offering greater transparency.

Is Malaysia’s electoral system ready for GE13

There is much room for improvement in Malaysia’s electoral system and on-going training for electoral observers by civil society organisations highlights the mistrust among many voters.

Looking within: dominant party de-alignment in Malaysia and Singapore

Given the ongoing de-alignment, it is not a surprise that both the PAP and UMNO use nostalgia to win votes, focusing on earlier successes. Reminiscing about ‘old Singapore’ or about UMNO statesmen have become common narratives to strengthen party support. These parties are looking to their past, but its leaders have yet to clearly articulate new visions for their parties’ future. Both national leaders, Lee Hsien Loong and Najib Tun Razak, have started to look to the future, but the place for their parties in Singapore and Malaysia’s future is not clear. There is considerable ground to recover, and part of the recovery process involves a look inside to assess how the parties themselves are contributing to their own fortunes, argues Bridget Welsh.

The ups and downs of Islamic education in Malaysia

Azmel Tayeb discusses the developments of Islamic education in Malaysia and its political implications.

When did awareness of being Melayu begin?

The definitive term ‘Malay’ is a creation resulting from the birth of a modern nation state. Due to Malaya’s sizeable number of non-indigenous citizens, defining the socio-political identity of the majority race becomes most concerned with who the Malays should be. Kobkua Suwannathat-Pian traces the origins of the awareness of “Melayu”.