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 Praba Ganesan
Praba Ganesan
Praba Ganesan is chief executive at KUASA, a democracy outreach organisation. It's time to be involved. You can contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @prabaganesan.
 

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An aerial shot of Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur. The author argues that schools build character not through grades alone, but through traditions, discipline and expectations that foster confidence, integrity and civic responsibility. — YouTube screengrab

‘Are you sure? No, but I’ll give it a go’: Lessons from Petaling Hill

Malaysian voters listen to political leaders during the state election campaign, as debates over identity, representation and communal politics take centre stage. — Bernama pic

State elections: It’s more injury time than half time in the race to thwart communalism

Whether or not the running down of multiculturalism persists after the elections, that is really in the hands of voters, both those who stomach haters and those who’ve lost the love.  — Bernama file pic

N9: An election devoid of substance

Visitors walk past the MyKad and JPN signage at the National Registration Department (JPN) in Putrajaya, September 23, 2025. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Stateless at home: Killing them softly

The author argues that PAS is pursuing a long-term strategy centred on Malay-Muslim political consolidation, warning that identity-based politics risks deepening national divisions at the expense of governance and unity. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

PAS’ kamikaze actions geared to one nation antics

Party flags are seen in Johor Bahru ahead of the 16th Johor state election on July 11. The author argues that public election debates strengthen democracy by allowing voters to scrutinise competing leaders directly, rejecting the view that such exchanges are unnecessary or counterproductive. — Bernama pic

Beating you down with words, the dangers of debates to elections

How not to be incensed when Bersama chooses to unveil its 15 candidates tomorrow evening, 12 hours from the nomination deadline. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Bersama goes literal, joins the chorus, refuses to write its own song

File picture of Malaysians casting their votes at a polling station during the 15th Malaysia general election at Sekolah Kebangsaan Puncak Alam 2 on November 19, 2022. — Picture by Miera Zulyana

Progressives get to test waters in Johor and Negeri Sembilan

The author argues that the Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections are being driven by a contest over identity politics, with parties trying to outdo each other as more important issues are sidelined. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

The Manchurian electorate in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, how big?

(From left) Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli raise their hands together on stage during the official launch of the new political branding 'BERSAMA' (Together) at the PJ Performing Arts Centre in Petaling Jaya. May 17, 2026—Picture by Raymond Manuel

The Small Four must think big in Johor

The author argues that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is carefully timing the next general election around the political rhythms and weaknesses of rival coalitions, with signs pointing towards a 2027 poll rather than an earlier contest. ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

Anwar feels his way to 2027 polls

A free society thrives on civil disagreements, where differences are part of its vibrancy. — Bernama pic

The growing fear of the free society

How history is taught in schools affects the tone Malaysians hold. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

Our historical absolutism loses the audience

Umno leaders attend the Umno 80th Anniversary Convention at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on May 2, 2026. — Bernama pic

Umno’s chance to embrace the whole of Malaysia is here

A general view outside the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly before the opening of the First Sitting of the Fourth Term of the 15th State Legislative Assembly in Seremban on April 23, 2026. — Picture by Yusof Isa

The Negeri Sembilan impasse unveils parallel pathways 

Khairy Jamaluddin (left) shares a moment with former Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman on April 17, 2026. — Picture from Facebook/Dato Sri Tajuddin Rahman

The return of Khairy

A man holds a fuel nozzle at a petrol station on March 25, 2026. — Reuters pic

Malaysia’s daily obsession with the petrol pump

The author argues that Hamzah Zainudin’s post-Bersatu trajectory is marked by indecision and lack of direction, with his failure to articulate a clear political path risking his relevance as support within Perikatan Nasional wanes and rivals move to fill the vacuum. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Where are you going Hamzah Zainudin?

The Malayan Union lasted just two years, but the fault lines it exposed have lasted eight decades. — Picture from Facebook/446

The Malayan Union reminder

A general view of condominiums in Kuala Lumpur. u00e2u20acu201d Photo by Hari Anggara

The latest Kajang Move

u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

Bipolar PKR clueless about Malaysia First

No way out or in for the wheelchair bound at MRT Taman Suntex. April 27, 2022. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Praba Ganesan

MRT Malaysia: Escalator gymnastics and other self-growth opportunities

A flag war between the parties contesting in the 15th Johor state election in N44 Larkin, Johor Baru, March 9, 2022. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Hari Anggara

The Infinite Everything Tent which stands for Nothing

The Employeesu00e2u20acu2122 Provident Fund  logo is seen at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur March 2, 2022. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Miera Zulyanan

EPF update: No country for old men

Malaysian flags are pictured in Putrajaya August 12, 2021. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

The myth of the Malay spine providing us stability

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the launch of the 40th World Customs Day at Kompleks Kastam Kelana Jaya, January 26, 2022. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Hari Anggara

'Apa khabar' from Malaysia

BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi speak to reporters at the press conference at the Barisan Nasional command center in the Johor Umno Liaison Hall, Johor Baru March 12, 2022. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Hari Anggara

Frenemies in government: BN and PN

PKR President, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on his campaign round at Bilk Gerakan Satelit N44 Larkin, Johor Bahru, March 05, 2022. u00e2u20acu2022 Picture by Hari Anggarann

Inside PKR: Who’ll ask Anwar to go?

Malaysian flags are pictured in Putrajaya August 12, 2021. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

The unwanted election issue: Departing Malaysians

Perikatan Nasional and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) flags are seen waving at Jalan Bachang, Melaka, November 7, 2021. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

The Four Horsemen of Malay-Only Politics: How deep is your race love?

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman speaks at the partyu00e2u20acu2122s launch ceremony at the Connexion Conference & Events Centre in Kerinchi, February 11, 2022. u00e2u20acu2022 Picture by Hari Anggara

Muda in PRN Johor: Infanticide warning

A Pakatan Harapan flag is seen along Jalan Sg Chua ahead of the Balakong by-election August 23, 2018. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

Pakatan’s overhaul a priority if they collapse in Johor

A Malaysian flag is pictured at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur September 15, 2021. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

BACI anyone? To balance Malaysian identities

Election Commission officials get the polling station at Dewan Badminton Kompleks Perumahan Polis Tabuan Jaya ready ahead of early voting in Kuching December 13, 2021. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

Johor: A dress rehearsal for the general election

A customer looks at lanterns in preparation for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration at Lebuh Carnavon in Penang, January 24, 2022. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Another year of luck in this land blessed with Chinese

Puteri Umno members gather for the 2021 Umno annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur March 27, 2021. u00e2u20acu2022 Picture by Hari Anggara

Umno stays ahead only to be rudderless

Nor Hanis Ahmad Shamsi, 29, and her husband Mohd Zulfadhli Zulkarnain, 27, together with their child 10-month-old Nur Zara Zalikha, spend their time at home following the movement control order to curb Covid-19 infection. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Farhan Najib

Fathers — the other half of parents

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob officiates the soft launch of Keluarga Malaysia at Auditorium Angkasapuri in Kuala Lumpur October 8, 2021. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

#KeluargaMalaysia calls out for leadership

 

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