Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS)

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.

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

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

The PAS-led state government wants to “correct” the “un-Islamic” parts of Main Puteri, an indigenous Kelantanese dance form.

Whatever happens in the no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Muhyiddin, it will be a setback for Mahathir -- and the opposition.

The new Malay-Muslim alliance between two major opposition forces could accelerate further polarization of Malaysian politics.

Najib Razak's embrace of an Islamic party overturns a decades-long tradition of narrowing ethnic and religious divides.