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Letters | Malaysian state elections crucial to how long Anwar lasts as PM
- Readers discuss the significance of the Malay vote in Malaysian politics, and how Fujian is reaching out to the Chinese diaspora
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It is not easy for those outside the country to understand why the elections in six states of Malaysia this August are so important.
The results are likely going to maintain the status quo, with three states held by the opposition and three by the ruling coalition.
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Some pundits might be expecting an upset. Even in the unlikely event that all the states held by the ruling coalition fall into opposition hands, though, it will change nothing at the federal level.
But in Malaysia’s highly nuanced racial politics, the outcome of the state elections will signal the political direction of the Malays and which way they are swaying has huge implications for whoever is ruling the country.
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For various intertwined reasons, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim managed to win last November’s general election without securing majority support among the Malays. This was despite the fact that Anwar is likely the most powerful and popular Malay leader in Malaysia today.
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