Bridget Welsh

The election is shaped by backroom deals and familiar faces.

With Umno having a 'strategic partner' in PAS, nationalist party looks set for victory.

Govt not yielding political rewards for its economic management.

State polls offer important insights into how Malaysian voting is changing and staying the same.

Time for PM to accelerate reforms, or risk becoming lame-duck leader.

Outcome hinges on turnout, shifting loyalties, unresolved voter sentiment.

Is M'sian politics re-sorting along age, class faster than along ethnic, religious lines?

Malay voting remains multifaceted despite 'unity' narrative.

This analysis highlights Indians' frustrations, Chinese voters' political fatigue, among others.

BN won an overwhelming majority without PN core supporters.

Harapan walked away severely wounded, while PN was wiped out.

Fluid impact of social media issues, rollercoaster of a campaign mark highly competitive polls.

It's going to be a tough fight despite Umno having an advantage.

Focus is on caretaker MB's track record, which has not received adequate attention.

While the arena looks familiar, the results could be anything but predictable.

Unlike Johor, N Sembilan election is more complex due to state royal crisis.

Expected early dissolution amid shifting coalitions and voter volatility.

This belated Part 2 explores how fragmentation could weaken main players, but also provide electoral opportunities.

Tide shifting towards more conservative parties, who build on local support, calibrate unifying nationalist narratives.

One tied to pragmatic and 'out of the box' decisions.

Social ties, resources are among keys on who could emerge victorious.

Harapan, BN, PN undergoing serious strain, tensions unlikely to be resolved soon.

Even with the local party sentiment, a varied pattern in voting remains among Sabahans.

Voters signal demand for local representation, youth influence.