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
Many deciding factors in recent state polls, results should not be over-generalised.
After election rebuke, prime minister must attend to structural issues
Ethnic voting findings point to a serious concern for Malaysia’s national unity.
The biggest early test for Anwar’s government is over.
Bridget Welsh is currently Honorary Research Associate with the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia (UoNARI-M) based in Kuala Lumpur. She is also a Senior Research Associate of the Hu Feng Center for East Asia Democratic Studies of National Taiwan University and a Senior Associate Fellow of The Habibie Center. She specializes in Southeast Asian politics, with a focus on Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Indonesia. She is committed to fostering engagement, mutual understanding and empowerment.
