Explainers
Politics, plainly.
No jargon, no long reads. Short visual guides for readers who haven't paid attention to Malaysian politics before but want to catch up fast.
2 explainers
Start here
New to Malaysian politics? These are your first three reads — in order.
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Malaysia politics in 5 minutes
If you don't know a Dewan Rakyat from a Dewan Undangan Negeri, start here. In under five minutes: how Malaysia is governed, who's in charge, and what the fights are actually about.
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Voting for the first time in Malaysia
Turning 18, moving states, or just never voted before? This is what to do before, during, and after polling day. Reusable for every election you'll vote in.
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Elections & voting
What's on the ballot, how the vote works, and why it matters.
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PRN Negeri Sembilan 2026: what you need to know
21 days after Johor, Malaysia's most balanced state votes on 1 August. Why NS is the 'truer bellwether' — the constitutional crisis, the coalitions, and what a PH loss would mean for Anwar.
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PRN Johor 2026: what you need to know
If you haven't paid attention to Malaysian politics before — this is where to start. In under five minutes: what's being decided, who's fighting, and why 11 July matters far beyond Johor.
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Parties, people & power
The parties and personalities who decide how Malaysia is governed.
The Undang System: Malaysia's only elective monarchy
Negeri Sembilan is the one Malaysian state where the Ruler is elected, not inherited. How Adat Perpatih works — and why four traditional chiefs are at the heart of the 2026 crisis.
Meet the parties
BN, PH, PN, GPS, GRS, UMNO, DAP, PKR, PAS — the alphabet soup of Malaysian politics, decoded. Every party that matters, why it exists, and where it stands today.
The Sultan of Johor
Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor is currently BOTH Sultan of his state AND the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. Understanding his role matters for anyone reading Malaysian political news — here's why.
Who runs Johor?
The 11 July election picks 56 assemblymen — but the real fight is over who becomes Menteri Besar. Meet the incumbent, the unnamed challengers, and the Sultan who ultimately signs off.
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Issues & history
The moments and long-running debates that shaped the country we live in today.
Iskandar Malaysia
Johor's Singapore-facing growth engine, decoded. Every current story about Johor mentions Iskandar — this is what it actually is, where it's going, and why it's politically sensitive.
The Sheraton Move
Malaysia's first non-BN government collapsed in 8 days in February 2020. Here's exactly what happened, why it still shapes politics today, and how it made the Anti-Hopping Law necessary.