S2E40: Malaysia parties gear up for the PAS congress and the Sabah elections

Aug 21, 2025

45:10

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The coming months will see several changes in the political landscape as parties make moves on various fronts.

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus.

In this episode, ST’s Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Tan Tam Mei are joined by Ibrahim Suffian, also known as Ben, the co-founder and programs director of Merdeka Center for Opinion Research.

With Malaysia’s opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) holding its annual conference in September, and the 17th Sabah election that is likely happening by year-end, what is on the horizon for Malaysia’s political scene?

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:32 PAS no longer just a supporting actor in Malaysia’s political scene

7:37 PAS as an alternative for Barisan National and Umno and its more moderated image

10:47 Possible leadership change in the coming PAS congress and ambitions of federal power

14:17 What’s next for PAS and its standing in Perikatan Nasional (PN)?

18:55 The coming Sabah elections and the state of play

27:16 Why the death of 13-year-old Sabah student Zara Qairina has become part of the political discussion

29:39 The rise of state nationalism in Sabah

35:52 News nugget: Malaysians generally feel optimistic about ageing

The state of play in Sabah as elections loom - https://str.sg/oKkNK

6 in 10 Malaysians upbeat about ageing - https://str.sg/DhRU

Read Tan Tam Mei’s articles: https://str.sg/iJxJ