Bridget Welsh

COMMENT The direction points to both a growing national party and an intensification of challenges ahead.

COMMENT The ulama want to not only swing the pendulum in their direction but to take full control over the party leadership.

COMMENT The 1,300-plus delegates have difficult decisions to make and it is likely that these issues will not be solved.

COMMENT The by-election speaks to ongoing political engagement within the Malay community and within the two parties themselves.

COMMENT Najib has spent more than any other PM. When one looks at spending in the last two years, he has shattered records.

COMMENT How will Mahathir and his loyalists react? There is anger and disappointment. For some, even a sense of betrayal.

COMMENT This election is much more than Najib versus Mahathir, it involves psychology, financial interests and personal ties.

COMMENT Current conditions point to a competitive contest, in which Najib will likely face a credible challenge to his position.

COMMENT As the dust settles a week after the dirtiest election in history, a healthy people’s democracy rises from the ashes.

COMMENT Those clinging to Mahathirism and Umno's past glory are unlikely to support reform efforts by the Najib administration.

GE13 SPECIAL She shares some of her observations that suggest that in the May 5 election, some things appear not quite right.

GE13 SPECIAL There are four intense battles taking place that will shape whether May 5 will indeed bring about change.

GE13 SPECIAL The youth are likely not stand idly by and see their future taken from them through polls manipulation.

GE13 SPECIAL In what has been part of a no-holds-barred strategy, the use of fear has come to the fore, especially with BN.

GE13 SPECIAL BN has lost the advantage in fielding women. This will be a woman's election, whatever the outcome.

GE13 SPECIAL The reality is that in Malaysia’s close electoral races, civil servants can be decisive in shaping the final tallies.

GE13 SPECIAL Najib has spent a total of RM57.7bil over the past four years since he became PM on election-related incentives.

COMMENT Excitement for May 5 election has intensified, with every seat being contested - and the largest number of independents in history.

COMMENT Three controversial moves by BN in the last two weeks seem to have strengthened the opposition's hands.

GE13 SPECIAL Given the low apparent turnover of incumbents, Najib appears terribly afraid that infighting in his party.

GE13 SPECIAL In this first of her GE13 analyses, Bridget Welsh argues that gains for the opposition are difficult but not entirely impossible.

COMMENT The parallels between the PAP and Umno are there, but unlike the PAP, the initiatives in reform are much less substantive in Malaysia.

COMMENT Judging by the meeting as a whole, the muktamar highlighted PAS' continued embracing of more progressive positions.

COMMENT 'There are two Americas - one embracing diversity and the other holding onto the past of a white-majority...'