PROPERTYMalaysiakini :: BRIDGET WELSH
- S'wak polls: Reality check for Pakatan
- COMMENT It faces the stark reality that it needs to move from promising 'change' to actual delivery.
- Sweet and sour aftermath of S'wak polls
- COMMENT BN has taken a serious bruising and will have to make a few hard decisions before the next GE.
- The myths of S'wak polls results
- COMMENT The Chinese swing toward Pakatan is comparatively less than the changes within other communities.
- Final countdown in BN 'fixed deposit' state
- COMMENT A loss of its two-thirds majority in Sarawak was unthinkable less than 10 days ago, but now the focus centres around this key marker.
- S'wak polls fought and won in rural areas
- COMMENT The rural seats comprise the overwhelming majority of seats, an estimated 45 out of 71 seats, while another six are in semi-rural areas such as Sarikei and Mukah.
- A Sarawak Spring?
- COMMENT Welsh examines the multitude of factors that will affect the outcome in the Sarawak state polls this Saturday.
- The evolution in wooing rural voters
- Both Umno and PAS are struggling to come to terms with a more sophisticated electorate, even in the rural areas.
- By-elections: Pakatan on the defensive
- ANALYSIS But despite BN's victories in recent by-elections, neither side is coming out to be the clear winner.
- By-elections: Pakatan on the defensive
- ANALYSIS But despite the BN’s victories in recent by-elections, neither side is coming out to be the clear winner.
- Muddy waters: Post-Tenang reflections
- COMMENT The most defining feature of this election was the weather. It was dreadful, and...
- Factors that will shape tomorrow's outcome
- ANALYSIS TENANG Here are a few key factors that will shape Tenang's outcome and the size of the majority.
- Eight reasons why Pakatan lost
- ANALYSIS Batu Sapi and Galas are semi-rural seats - and they are the key battleground for national power.
- Buffaloes in the Wild East of Batu Sapi
- The question is how ‘wild’ are the Batu Sapi voters and which buffalo (forgive the literal referent) will they support?
- Ghosts, goblins and goodies in Galas
- ANALYSIS GALAS Given the small PAS majority and the resource edge that gives BN weight in this by-election, Umno has the advantage.
- National power: Internal challenges hamper PAS
- What became clear at its 56th muktamar is that the party lacks a clear dynamic national direction due to internal obstacles.
- PAS preps itself for national power
- Last weekend’s muktamar highlighted its strong desire to win Putrajaya and its willingness to transform itself to achieve these ends.
- Surprising signals from Sibu
- The by-election point to swings among voters of all the different ethnic communities towards Pakatan.
- Sea change in Sibu
- What went right for Pakatan and what went wrong for BN on Sunday? Welsh spells out the decisive factors.
- Sibu's new political awakening
- Tomorrow Sibu voters will have to stand up to the tough decision whether to vote for money or vote for change.
- A town at the crossroads
- ANALYSIS For Sibu, the national question of what will be the engine of growth and how will the country get there is especially pertinent as it now stands at a crossroads. It remains unclear how Sibu will continue to thrive financially.
- Lost in Hulu: Lessons for Pakatan
- COMMENT Given the size of Hulu S'gor and national political firepower, this by-election tested Pakatan like never before.
- Najib not quite the Hulu conqueror
- COMMENT To attribute Najib’s victory solely on money politics obscures important transformations taking place within the BN.
- Who won Hulu Selangor?
- Najib and BN are not out of the woods. Quite the opposite is the case; the close win of 2.7% shows this.
- A VERY tight race
- There are four unanswered questions in the Hulu Selangor by-election that obscure any analysis.
- Hulu S'gor: A critical political litmus test
- More than any other by-election since March 2008, Hulu Selangor is a critical litmus test for the country's future. It is a national contest, with national stakes.
- Hungry ghosts in Permatang Pasir
- ANALYSIS Yesterday's decisive opposition by-election victory in Permatang Pasir is among the most important markers of national sentiment since March 2008.
- Gains and losses in Manek Urai
- Umno continued the tactic used in Bukit Gantang of using racial fear to mobilise support. This practice appears to be a defining practice of the Najib-Muhyiddin team.
- Pakatan's future in wake of PAS muktamar
- Last week’s muktamar has opened old wounds and fed insecurities and has served to bring to the fore underlying weaknesses in Pakatan that will need to be addressed.
- Islamic party's bold national ambitions
- analysis If there was one message that stood out in the 55th muktamar, particularly in the opening speech by party leader Hadi Awang, it was that PAS wants national power.
- Change for PAS or PAS for change?
- analysis The PAS polls results should be seen in their totality, not just for particular contests. Overall, the number of ulama elected into positions dropped.