KUALA LUMPUR — The Johor state election on July 11 and the Negeri Sembilan poll on August 1 are being viewed as early indicators of Malaysia’s political trajectory ahead of the next general election, according to political analyst Dr. G Manimaran.
He said the results of both contests could offer important signals on the direction of national politics, including which bloc may emerge dominant and whether the current unity government could be returned to power.
“It will provide indicators, signs, clues as to who will be ahead, who will form the government, whether the unity government will return or not and so on,” he said on Scoop Insight, hosted by Habibah Omar and Suzan Ahmad.
The author of Pilihan Raya Demokrasi Malaysia: Tanding, Pilih, Menang, Tadbir (Democratic Elections in Malaysia: Contest, Choose, Win, Govern) also expressed concern over what he described as a decline in political ethics and standards.
“Ungentlemanly politics… we don’t have democratic politics that is meant to help the people. (All we hear is) ‘I just want positions. I just want positions’,” he said.
He warned that such a political climate risks eroding public confidence and discouraging voter participation.
“I interview 10 people, 7 say the same thing… People are extremely disappointed about going out to vote. That is not healthy,” he said.
He also pointed to internal tensions within the opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional, particularly disagreements over the use of party logos between PAS and Bersatu, warning that such divisions could weaken the bloc.
“That division will weaken… people will not believe, confidence will decline. Confidence in the party, the coalition formed six years ago, will drop,” he said.
By contrast, he noted that the Borneo political bloc — Sabah and Sarawak — has emerged as a stabilising force in Malaysian politics, holding 56 parliamentary seats that could prove decisive in the next general election.
With nearly two-thirds of voters aged under 35, Dr. Manimaran stressed the need for a more ethical and responsible political culture.
“If political parties and political leaders do not show positive attitudes, good values… we are worried the next generation will follow. That is what I am saying — where are we heading?” he said. – June 22, 2026