Pakatan Harapan (PH)

Despite Anwar Ibrahim’s ultimate victory at the head of a progressive, multi-ethnic coalition, the space for more pluralistic politics in Malaysia is closing.

Who the newly appointed prime minister chooses could determine the fate of his sprawling unity government.

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.

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

Given the complexity of the country's electoral landscape, there is no guarantee GE15 will bring an end to the current political instability.

The outcome of this month’s election is “far less certain and predictable" than previous ones.

The strong showing for the Barisan Nasional coalition is expected to intensify calls for an early general election.

The election is the first to be held in Malaysia since a constitutional amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

The six-decade-old grand old coalition, led by UMNO, remains in a much weaker state, but it will inevitably be looking to build on its winning momentum.

The outcomes of the state polls will allow political parties to chart a clearer course ahead of the 15th General Election, including forming new alliances.

Youth pose challenges to the country's aging political elite, but they are far from a monolithic bloc.