Malaysia 2023 state elections

Muhyiddin’s legal victory came just days after his Malay nationalist Perikatan Nasional (PN) bloc further expanded its influence during fiercely contested state elections.

In Saturday's six state elections, Anwar's government and the Malay nationalist opposition each retained control of three states.

Less than a year since the last general election, the country's political parties are gearing up for another round of electoral battle across six states.

The ban comes in the midst of a conservative culture war that has targeted the country's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.

Ahead of the August 12 elections, the country remains highly politically polarized along ethnic lines.

The six state polls, especially those in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, shape as a crucial political test for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan coalition.

The decision comes amid a rise in racial and religious online rhetoric as the country moves toward important state elections.

In his attempts to mollify Malay nationalists and Islamic conservatives, Anwar risks alienating his liberal and multi-ethnic support base.

The case is likely to raise the political temperature ahead of a string of important state elections later this year.