The by-elections for the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat in Johor last Saturday saw the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional unity coalition retaining the seats that were previously held by the late Salahuddin Ayub of Amanah. What were the main takeaways from the results of the polls?
Malaysia’s latest electoral test reveals a country torn between old authoritarian instincts, imbued with ethno-religious undercurrents, and aspirations for a thriving modern democracy – which tendency will triumph is yet to be determined
