Current Affairs

Sabah, along with Sarawak, is generally seen as  “fixed-deposit states” for Barisan Nasional. But how do Sabahans view themselves and their place in the Federation.

In an article published by New Mandala, the website out of the Australian National University, together with our guest we explore issues of Sabahan identity within the context of GE14.

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Ten years on has DAP strengthened its hold over Penang, or could voters be switching sides over issues close to home?

Predeep talks to us about the sentiment on the ground in the state.

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Following the close fight in GE13, Bentong looks set to see the same two candidates duke it out in GE14.

Kenneth paints a picture of the constituency for us, from the demographic mix of the electorate to the general feel and mood on the ground.

Will environmental activist Wong Tack's expanded platform be enough to beat Dato Seri Liow Tiong Lai? Or will the incumbent's economic and tourism developments in the constituency be enough to secure the seat for Barisan Nasional?

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Following up on the announcement on Sunday that Tun Mahathir would be contesting the Langkawi Parliamentary seat, Melissa talks to us about the reception on the ground to the veteran politician. 

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Last night it was announced that Tun Mahathir would be contesting the Langkawi seat in the upcoming general election. Dr. Tapsell talks about the mood on the ground in Kedah to Tun Mahathir and the potential impact the former prime minister has there, as well as the impact of internet growth and smartphone usage on political discourse in rural and semi-rural Malaysia. He also talks about the changing media consumption habits and the rise of individual voter choice as more political parties have entered the fray. 

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With GE14 around the corner there has been a lot of focus on key partnerships and demographics with the potential power to play kingmaker.

But what about smaller communities like Thais and Orang Asli who have become invisible?

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In the on-going conversation about the relative merits of political manifestos offered by Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan, we ask what’s in the respective promises for the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Considering the tight race on the Peninsula, and the increasing importance of support from political parties in the East, how do they ensure that promises made are kept?

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Today, the Election Commission meets to decide on the date for Nomination and Polling Day, which will see close to 15 million voters making their choice about who they want to lead them. While some are concerned that the recently passed redelineation exercise has created an even more uneven playing field, the Federal opposition remains committed to the process. Our guest has written on Malaysian politics and in particular how the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional has held on to power by its “extensive manipulation” of the electoral system.

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On Saturday, Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched the coalition’s manifesto for the 14th General Election.

The manifesto titled “With BN for a Greater Malaysia” offered 14 major points, with special focus on jobs, affordable housing and women’s rights.

Today we explore the many elements in the Manifesto from a public policy perspective.

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A few days ago Melaka PAS commissioner Kamaruddin Sidek voiced the Islamic party’s intention to head the Melaka state government. He said PAS would ask for the position of Chief Minister in exchange to support either Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Harapan to form the state government in the event of a hung state assembly. It's clear to observers that the party, once a component of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, see themselves as kingmakers in the coming election. Today we explore possible scenarios in the run up to GE14. 

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