It is the highest number of candidates in Malaysian history to contest in a state election, with no individual seat contest having fewer than four contenders. On the ground, voters are busy trying to figure out who is who and connected to whom.
What distinguishes this election, however, is that the calon (candidate) factor is more important than ever. Arguably, here too, the impact of the calon is among the most important in Malaysian history.
Allow me to explain:
Sabahan way, swarming and splitting
First of all, let’s talk about the numbers. On the one hand, this new record in candidate numbers speaks to a...