Malaysia elections

Perikatan Nasional’s campaign on the popular social media platform appears to have paid off.

At last week's election, the extraordinary, six-decade-long political journey of Mahathir Mohamad reached its quiet terminus.

Anwar said he would submit his government to a vote of confidence on December 19.

While the November 19 election resulted in a victory for his multi-ethnic Pakatan Harapan bloc, the forces of conservative Malay nationalism have perhaps never been stronger.

In naming the longtime opposition figure, the monarch called for an end to the political turmoil that has seen Malaysia led by three prime ministers since 2018.

The country's main Islamic party, PAS, successfully capitalized on the public's growing disenchantment with the Malay political establishment.

Thrust into the role of kingmaker after the November 19 election, the Barisan Nasional coalition has refused to support either of the two leading political blocs.

After a surprise return at Saturday's election, Muhyiddin Yassin's Perikatan Nasional coalition is in the box seat to form the next government.

Despite its shock defeat in 2018, UMNO's proven brand of ethnic Malay identity politics could play a decisive role in Saturday's election.

For all the talk of the influx of first-time voters aged 18-20, the country's political parties have done little to appeal to them.

Four years after its shock defeat to a progressive multi-ethnic coalition, can UMNO regain its mandate?