AMID furore over banned words and price hikes, the redelineation of electoral boundaries is the next big thing that Malaysian voters must not let slip without close scrutiny. Political scientist Dr Wong Chin Huat explains the issues to look out for in this upcoming exercise.
elections
October 2013
We apologise for factual errors made in Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: On the “Allah” judgement and in the Shape of a Pocket column entitled Wishing for another 13 May.
Wins and defeats in GE13
By The Nut Graph team
THE Nut Graph speaks to political observers and analysts for a quick reaction to the results of GE13.
Covering the elections fairly
By Ding Jo-Ann
It’s rare to see Malaysia’s traditional press give the federal opposition, Pakatan Rakyat, a fair hearing. Ding Jo-Ann imagines what it would be like if our media produced fair and honest coverage of the political parties and their candidates during the next general election.
Making elections better
Work in Progress by Hwa Yue-Yi
Underneath the team colours and the performance, the cheering and the competition – whether in the US or in Malaysia – what are elections good for? And how can they be improved?
Much ado about PJ’s mayor: Another case for local council elections
Ampersand By KW Mak
IN the tussle over Petaling Jaya’s mayor between the Selangor government and the federal Public Services Department, the ones caught in the middle are ratepayers. Former councillor KW Mak calls for the mayor’s post to be an elected position.
Doubtful votes — can they change an election outcome?
By Deborah Loh
Are Malaysians sufficiently educated on how to vote? It is widely assumed that marking “X” next to a candidate’s name is the only legitimate way to vote. It is not. Civil society groups now train volunteers to be election monitors, booth agents and polling and counting agents. They also cover training on doubtful votes, due to concerns that dubiously marked ballots could end up influencing an election outcome. Can this really happen?
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Penang, Pakatan and local government elections
By Ding Jo-Ann
IF all goes smoothly, Penang will hold local government elections by year end, something not done in Malaysia for almost 50 years, because of the Local Government Elections (Penang Island and Province Wellesley) Enactment 2012. What challenges are in store for the return of local government elections? And how will citizens benefit?
How legitimate is our elected government?
In A Nutshell by Andrew Khoo
IF rumour holds true, the 13th general election, due by March 2013, will be held sometime this year. Once again, Malaysians will cast their votes and the party that wins the most number of parliamentary seats will govern federally. But how legitimate is the government that eventually gets into power? Does the party in power […]
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: The return of BN?
By Ding Jo-Ann
THE Barisan Nasional (BN) has recently emerged triumphant from two by-election victories in Kerdau and Merlimau, its fourth and fifth consecutive victories so far. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has said the wins showed the people’s growing support for the BN. Can these BN achievements be interpreted as such? And what does this mean […]
