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Election
The Youth and GE16
Aziff Azuddin
2025
Malaysia’s youth are not a monolith; they are a diverse group with complex concerns and a desire for genuine political representation.
Warning Signs from Banjarbaru
- Jonathan Manullang
- 2025
Banjarbaru’s political contest exposed trends that signal wider democratic concerns.
From Opposition to Participation
- Nawridho A. Dirwan
- 2025
Last year’s political contestations demonstrated the paradigm shift experienced by Indonesia’s reformed terrorists.
Ulamas and Their (Informal) Political Power
- Wasisto Raharjo Jati
- 2025
Ulamas’ status as informal leaders accords them a degree of influence in political contests.
Local Democracy and Costly Elections: Towards the End Game?
- Yoes C. Kenawas
- 2024
Prabowo’s latest comment about the cost of direct elections sparks a debate.
Reflections and Observations on Pilkada
- Virdika Rizky Utama
- 2024
Developments surrounding Pilkada further strengthens evidence of democratic decline.
Pragmatic Politics in Pilkada Are Only Symptoms of Bigger Problems
- Rafsi Albar
- 2024
Power struggle and accumulation undermine Indonesia’s democratic vision.
The Last Supper in Indonesia’s Political Year
- Galby R. Samhudi
- 2024
Pilkada: Indonesians will head to voting stations for one last time this year.
Pilkada 2024: Cawe-Cawe All the Way?
- Beringin Kusuma
- 2024
Amid concerns of political meddling, the upcoming Pilkada will be a test for Prabowo’s political effectiveness in regional politics.
Turkey’s Election: A New Hope (for Women)
- Kamilatul Farikhah
- 2024
The fall of Erdogan’s AKP in Turkey’s local elections could spell a new hope and opportunities for Turkish women.
A Burning Bridge? Jokowi-PDI-P Saga Post-2024 Presidential Election
- M. Anas Mahfudhi
- 2024
Jokowi’s relationship with PDI-P seems set to deteriorate. What could this culminate to?
Indonesia’s Less than Substantial Presidential Debates
- Faris Ibrahim
- 2024
Viewers were not looking for substantive ideas when they tuned into the series of presidential and vice-presidential debate ahead of Indonesia’s.
Controversy: Anies Baswedan as Imam Mahdi
Abah Aos, a Sufi, recently called Anies Baswedan “Imam Mahdi”, sending ripples across several quarters of the society.
Can the Labor Party Win Votes This Wednesday?
The Labor Party attempts to win votes in the upcoming election despite various obstacles.
The Muted Islamist Populism in Indonesia
- Yahya Fathur Rozy
- 2024
There are a few reasons why Islamist populism does not feature heavily in political contestations ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election in Indonesia.
Anies is Online: Bold or Risky?
Anies Baswedan’s campaign formats breathed a fresh air into Indonesia’s democratic process.
Social Media and the Manufacturing of Malay-Muslim Insecurity
- Dr. Hew Wai Weng
- 2023
Can insecurity among Malay-Muslims be manufactured? In Malaysia, this has been happening for years.
Indonesia: A Family Court?
- Rafsi Albar
- 2023
Indonesia’s president, his son, his brother-in-law and the Constitutional Court. A recent controversy in the country brought to the fore the question.
For Prabowo, Victory Remains Elusive, for Now
- Rangga A. Akhli
- 2023
He may be leading in some polls, but Prabowo Subianto needs to undertake some actions to secure a victory in next year’s election.
Examining the Impact of Islamist Feminism in Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Election
- Raneeta Mutiara
- 2023
The Islamist feminist movement in Indonesia is gaining traction and could shape the political landscape of the 2024 presidential election.
The Green Wave as a Right-Wing Turn in Malay-Muslim Majoritarianism
- Dr. Nicholas Chan
- 2023
The ‘Green Wave’ is a phenomenon that is not explainable by Islamism alone. Thinking of it as a right-wing turn in Malay-Muslim majoritarianism.
Malaysia: Bracing for Impact of the “Green Wave”
The proverbial “green wave” casts a long shadow over religious freedom, minority rights and political development in Malaysia.
Dunning-Kruger Effect, Partisanship and Political Education in Indonesia
- 2023
Introduction With Indonesia’s political year (2024) being less than six months away, the atmosphere in the society has taken on a political tinge as political parties declared support to their respective presidential candidates. The public’s response to this development is worth our further observation and analysis. Though we hope for a peaceful democratic process until […]
Can Malaysia’s New Electoral Democracy Last?
- Prof. William Case
- 2023
Malaysia’s new electoral democracy is not going anywhere soon, despite the flimsiness of the unity government and the potent challenge posed.
Combating Disinformation: Pilpres 2024 and the Youth
- Wida Ayu Puspitosari
- 2023
With easier access to information and education system, Indonesian youths may play a significant role in preventing a repeat of national polarization of the past ahead of next year’s presidential election.
Turkey’s Woes: Recession, Earthquake and Political Battle
- Dr. Asif Mohiuddin
- 2023
The devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey in February 2023 exacerbated the country’s economic problems and a posed political conundrum on the embattled President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Explainer: PAS’ Performance in GE15
- Dr. Tan Sing Pei
- 2023
The 15th General Election (GE15) witnessed Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) emerging as the biggest winner after capturing 49 seats, the largest bloc by a single party in the parliament. An assessment on the rise of the Islamist party is necessary to measure how PAS’ success has changed Malaysia’s political landscape.
India’s G20 Presidency: Lessons Learned from Indonesia
This article discusses the potentials of India’s G20 presidency in 2023 and how India could learn from Indonesia to navigate its own agenda and arrange its priorities.
Identity Politics and Pilpres 2024: Learning from Aksi 212
Concerns are abound whether Indonesia would see another surge of identity politics being drummed up by Aksi 212 movement again ahead of the 2024 elections.
Malaysia’s GE15 Compromise: How Did We Get Here?
This article traces the seeds of the protracted political crisis in Malaysia and various developments that took place in the last three years while also providing an analysis on post-GE15 events.
From Islamist to Muslim Majoritarianism: The Rise of PAS in GE15
- Dr. Hew Wai Weng
- 2022
In the campaign period of GE15, PAS and other right-wing groups successfully exploited the Malay Muslim insecurity. Following PAS’ spectacular showing in the election, the challenge to Malaysia ahead is not only about the growth of Islamism, but also the rise of right-wing Malay Muslim majoritarianism.
Challenges of Pakatan Harapan-led Unity Government
- Dr. Choong Pui Yee
- 2022
The appointment of Anwar Ibrahim as Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister may end last week’s unprecedented political instability but it is no by means a termination point of Malaysia’s political drama. Facing challenges from inside and outside his unity government, Anwar Ibrahim has no time to enjoy his government’s honeymoon period.
Oligarchs, Environmental Protection and Pemilu 2024
- Yassar Aulia
- 2022
This article reviews how the Indonesian electoral system and political funding scheme create a condition where only individuals with significant economic capital could participate in politics. The oligarchs, whose interests collide with Indonesia’s agenda of environmental protection, are a force to reckon with in the run up to Pemilihan Umum 2024 (the 2024 General Election – Pemilu).
Mediatised Religion in Malaysia: Islamization by Trolling?
- Dr. Nicholas Chan
- 2022
The dynamics behind the “Islamization race” in Malaysian politics is changing. Apart from the UMNO-PAS competition as the “defender” of Islam, Malaysia is currently experiencing “Islamization by trolling” with real life consequences.
The Malay-Muslim Politics and Malaysia’s GE15
Underneath all of President Rodrigo Duterte’s strongman bravado is a deep-seated insecurity, resulting in a widespread defeatist attitude. This defeatism, while can be traced back to Filipino’s culture and the country’s longstanding alliance with the United States, manifests in Duterte’s pivot to China policy and neutrality in the Ukraine crisis. It has also provided a suitable context that ushered the return of the Marcos family to power.
Expected Acceptance and Rejection Factors for PAS and UMNO in Peninsula Malaysia in the 15th General Election
Underneath all of President Rodrigo Duterte’s strongman bravado is a deep-seated insecurity, resulting in a widespread defeatist attitude. This defeatism, while can be traced back to Filipino’s culture and the country’s longstanding alliance with the United States, manifests in Duterte’s pivot to China policy and neutrality in the Ukraine crisis. It has also provided a suitable context that ushered the return of the Marcos family to power.
Islamists vs Islamists in GE15
- Dr. Hew Wai Weng
- 2022
Various Islamist actors are competing and collaborating with each other across different political parties and coalitions in GE15. With different political and social participation, they have undergone various transformations although do not necessarily give up their ideological commitment.
The Recent Decline of Interfaith Dialogue in Indonesia: Causes and Challenges
- Wasisto Raharjo Jati
- 2022
The decline of interfaith dialogue in Indonesia comes at a time when there is a growing reluctance to accept people of different identities. This is concerning as recent conservatism swing has particularly made people more religious but not necessarily spiritual, making it harder for people to embrace the spirit of pluralism that has been ingrained in the Indonesian society for so long. Thus, there is an urgent need to revitalise this process in the country.
Sharia Politics in 2024: Ideology or Commodity
Sharia politics as a political force peaked in 2016 and 2017 but has struggled to maintain its momentum in recent years. Despite setbacks, it is in no way out of the picture. Will it make a comeback in 2024?
Political Islam in Indonesia: Looking at Pemilu 2024 and Beyond
While Islamist parties are still a long way from dominating the upcoming Indonesian elections, conservative Muslim voters will become increasingly indispensable to presidential hopefuls, adding pressures on religious liberty in Indonesia.
Dwindling Political Trust and Democratic Decline in Malaysia
- Dr. Choong Pui Yee
- 2022
The Malaysian public’s trust in politicians and the political system seems to be dwindling even as the nation heads into the upcoming 15th General Elections (GE). What are its consequences and how can Malaysia arrest this downright trend before its democratic process suffers further decline?
Game Theory: A Bugbear for PN and PH in the 15th General Election
- Syaza Shukri
- 2022
Based on UMNO’s recent successes in the state elections, cooperation between Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan would benefit both in the 15th General Election. But such cooperation is irrational for both coalitions.
Webinar: “Sarawak State Election: Will it Rock the Boat?” – Department of Political Science, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
- Stratsea
- 2021
In this publicly accessible webinar by IIUM’s Department of Political Science, Dr. Arnold Puyok and Mohd. Shazani Masri discuss whether the 12th Sarawak state election will lead to winds of change for Malaysia’s political environment.
Interview with Dr. Lau Zhe Wei – Contestation Between Muslim and Non-Muslim Communities in Malaysia
- Dr. Lau Zhe Wei
- 2021
Amidst the current Timah Whiskey controversy and Syariah-related developments such as that in Kelantan, rationality must prevail in multi-religious Malaysia.
Webinar: “Melaka State Election: A Litmus Test for GE 15?” – Department of Political Science, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
- Stratsea
- 2021
The historic state of Melaka is drawing intense political interest. In this publicly accessible webinar by IIUM’s Department of Political Science, Dr. Lau Zhe Wei and Dr. Tunku Mohar Mokhtar discuss whether the 15th Melaka state election is a litmus test for GE15.
Ismail Sabri’s Malaysian Cabinet: Old Wine in a New Bottle
- Tunku Mohar Mokhtar
- 2021
In the third government administration since the May 2018 general elections, the current Malaysian Cabinet is nothing more than a Cabinet reshuffle with very few changes.
A Rocket into the Unknown
This article outlines the Democratic Action Party’s trajectory through Malaysia’s shifting political landscape.
Muhyiddin’s Failures and the Fall of the First Unelected Government in Malaysia
- Tunku Mohar Mokhtar
- 2021
In March 2020, Muhyiddin Yassin led a rebellion against the government that toppled a long-standing ruling alliance tainted with corruption. His 17-months rule will be remembered for its failures to attend to people’s Covid-19-related grievances and suspension of democracy.
Constitutional Court Decision 55/2020 Would not Simplify the Political System in Indonesia
- Ania Safitri
- 2021
For the 2024 Elections, certain political parties are given concessions to bypass factual verification to contest. These concessions, via Decision 55/2020, will likely hamper efforts to simplify the political system in Indonesia.
Short-term Gain, Long-term Loss of Money Politics in Indonesia’s Regional Electoral Process
- Rizky Sadali
- 2021
The issue of money-politics in Indonesia’s regional elections is a worrying sign that rent-seeking interest still plagues its representational system. When social tensions are rising, representation might become a key issue to stability in the future.
Malaysia: The Pandemic and Emergency and its Consequences on Parliament and Elections
- Ryan Chua
- 2021
The recent Emergency declaration in Malaysia is touted as an extraordinary measure during extraordinary times, though many question if it was necessary to manage a pandemic that seemed to be under control just six months ago.
The Sustainability of the Next Islamic Initiative in Malaysia
Past governments in Malaysia had issued Islamic initiatives as the Inculcation of Noble Values, Islam Hadhari, Indeks Syariah Malaysia, Rahmatan-lil-‘Alamin, Manhaj Rabbani and Inisiatif Mantap, all of which sizzled out following the fall of their respective political advocates. What may be the next Islamic initiative by the new government after the 15th General Election (GE15)?
Pressure Test in the Age of New Normal: Indonesia’s Pilkada 2020
- Muhammad Sinatra
- 2020
Indonesia will likely proceed with its regional elections, also known as Pilkada, on 9 December 2020. Despite there being little respite of COVID-19 infections in Indonesia, lawmakers and politicians have instead rationalized why Pilkada cannot be delayed again.
Deciding to be Malaysia’s PM8: An Organizational Trust Perspective
- Idznursham Ismail
- 2020
Via the organizational trust theory, insights can be obtained as to why accepting the royal mandate and not rushing to call for a snap election is ideal for Muhyiddin Yassin to become Malaysia’s PM8.
