ANALYSIS For the DAP, which feels obliged to retain its parliamentary seats in Bukit Gelugor and Teluk Intan in the two by-elections this month, the exacerbation of the debate over hudud is portending some worse things to come for the party.

While Bukit Gelugor and Teluk Intan are Chinese-majority constituencies, comprising 75 percent and 42 percent of Chinese voters respectively, the controversy over hudud is expected to be “trump card” for DAP's rivals, given that mudslinging occurs widely during elections.

DAP will be facing MCA in Bukit Gelugor and Gerakan in Teluk Intan...