Not game over yet for Malaysia opposition despite new electoral maps, say analysts

New electoral maps could backfire on ruling coalition if enough Malay voters switch sides in upcoming elections

The crowd at opposition group Pakatan Harapan's rally in Perlis last Friday. Its leaders are hoping for a "Malay tsunami", in which Malay voters opt en masse for the opposition.
The crowd at opposition group Pakatan Harapan's rally in Perlis last Friday. Its leaders are hoping for a "Malay tsunami", in which Malay voters opt en masse for the opposition. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/LIEW CHIN TONG
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Malaysia's new electoral boundaries, approved last week, have been slammed for favouring the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition as they herd Malay supporters into smaller wards that BN hopes to win, and pack non-Malay voters into opposition strongholds.

But analysts say it is not game over yet for the opposition. And that the new maps could backfire on the ruling pact if enough Malay voters switch sides in polls expected to be held within weeks.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on April 01, 2018, with the headline Not game over yet for Malaysia opposition despite new electoral maps, say analysts. Subscribe