Identity politics comes to the fore in Malaysia

MALAYSIA'S 14th General Election next month will attest to the longevity of democracy in the country. However, it will also reveal how identity politics is refashioning the electoral landscape of one of South-east Asia's economically most successful nations.

Its neighbours will have to deal with the effects of political evolution in the Muslim-majority nation.

A visceral array of ethnic forces has shaped up around the confrontation between the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and the opposition. This deployment of forces is represented primarily by Prime Minister Najib Razak; veteran opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim; and former premier Mahathir Mohamad.

Mr Anwar has joined forces with his nemesis, Dr Mahathir, who ousted him once from the deputy premiership, to take on Mr Najib, whom Dr Mahathir helped bring to power but whom he now wishes to depose because of fundamental differen…