Bridget Welsh

ANALYSIS TENANG Here are a few key factors that will shape Tenang's outcome and the size of the majority.

ANALYSIS Batu Sapi and Galas are semi-rural seats - and they are the key battleground for national power.

The question is how ‘wild’ are the Batu Sapi voters and which buffalo (forgive the literal referent) will they support?

ANALYSIS GALAS Given the small PAS majority and the resource edge that gives BN weight in this by-election, Umno has the advantage.

What became clear at its 56 ^th muktamar is that the party lacks a clear dynamic national direction due to internal obstacles.

Last weekend’s muktamar highlighted its strong desire to win Putrajaya and its willingness to transform itself to achieve these ends.

The by-election point to swings among voters of all the different ethnic communities towards Pakatan.

What went right for Pakatan and what went wrong for BN on Sunday? Welsh spells out the decisive factors.

Tomorrow Sibu voters will have to stand up to the tough decision whether to vote for money or vote for change.

ANALYSIS For Sibu, the national question of what will be the engine of growth and how will the country get there is especially pertinent as it now stands at a crossroads. It remains unclear how Sibu will continue to thrive financially.

COMMENT Given the size of Hulu S'gor and national political firepower, this by-election tested Pakatan like never before.

COMMENT To attribute Najib’s victory solely on money politics obscures important transformations taking place within the BN.

Najib and BN are not out of the woods. Quite the opposite is the case; the close win of 2.7% shows this.

There are four unanswered questions in the Hulu Selangor by-election that obscure any analysis.

More than any other by-election since March 2008, Hulu Selangor is a critical litmus test for the country's future. It is a national contest, with national stakes.

ANALYSIS Yesterday's decisive opposition by-election victory in Permatang Pasir is among the most important markers of national sentiment since March 2008.

Umno continued the tactic used in Bukit Gantang of using racial fear to mobilise support. This practice appears to be a defining practice of the Najib-Muhyiddin team.

Last week’s muktamar has opened old wounds and fed insecurities and has served to bring to the fore underlying weaknesses in Pakatan that will need to be addressed.

analysis If there was one message that stood out in the 55th muktamar, particularly in the opening speech by party leader Hadi Awang, it was that PAS wants national power.

analysis The PAS polls results should be seen in their totality, not just for particular contests. Overall, the number of ulama elected into positions dropped.

Beneath the pleasantries lies genuine concern about the future of Malaysia’s economy - the US remains Malaysia’s largest trading partner and is the largest investor in the country.

The 2-1 victory shows that both Pakatan and BN held onto their original seats. But the final tallies do not suggest a status quo. Far from it.

analysis The ‘B-Day’ by-elections are the type of constituencies that will determine the future of both BN and the opposition.

comment When stripped of the discourse of morality, the case of Wong should be seen for exactly what it is – a vengeful political attack.