COMMENT | As Malaysia faces a serious global crisis with the Iran war impacting prices, livelihoods and food security, politicians continue to focus on politicking.

This week’s crisis in Negeri Sembilan, where Umno local representatives withdrew from the state government, has led to conditions where the Pakatan Harapan minority government is likely to continue to control the state administration at least until the next legislative sitting.

The drivers of this crisis, which have been percolating under the surface for some time, were local to the state, tied to differences among the customary royal elites and dissatisfaction in state governance.

Yet the crisis speaks to broader splits nationally, within the Madani government, within political parties and with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership.

Developments in Negeri Sembilan follow the...