Bridget's Kerusi Panas

This episode looks at some of the hot seats in the 16th Johor state elections of July 2026, focusing on local issues.

This episode looks at hot seats along Sabah's West Coast including Pintasan, Karambunai, Tamparuli, Inanam, Bongawan, and Sindumin with attention to the KDM vote, generational factors, the impact of family/father, candidate qualities and different local ethnicities.

This episode looks at hot seats in Sabah's PRN17 looking at how conditions shape electoral politics in the constituencies of Melalap, Tulid, Telupid, Sugut and Lamag.

This episode makes a few observations about the Sabah PRN17 election at the mid-point of the campaign.  Subscribe to Kerusi Panas on:  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IAKc6l Spotify: https://bit.ly/3IIdGzb

This episode looks at hot seats in northern Sabah from Kudat to Ranau, including Bengkoka, Tanjong Kapor, Bandau, Kundasang and Paginatan, looking at the role of capital/social capital, importance of Dusun and Rungus communities, religious identities and splitting due to multiple candidates. Subscribe to Kerusi Panas on:  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IAKc6l Spotify: https://bit.ly/3IIdGzb

This episode looks at hot seats on the East Coast from Lahad Datu to Kalabakan, including Kukusan, Merotai, Kunak, Silam and Segama, highlighting the role of Bugis voters, party splits and challenges in Warisan's political frontier. Subscribe to Kerusi Panas on:  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IAKc6l Spotify: https://bit.ly/3IIdGzb

This episode looks at the hot seats in Northeast Sabah, focusing on Elopura, Tanjong Papat, Sekong, Sungai Manila and Sungai Sibuga. Subscribe to Kerusi Panas on:  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IAKc6l Spotify: https://bit.ly/3IIdGzb

This episode looks at the major contenders and driving dynamics of Sabah’s coming polls.  Subscribe to Kerusi Panas on:  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IAKc6l Spotify: https://bit.ly/3IIdGzb

This episode looks at Hajiji Noor's tenure as the 16th Chief Minister of Sabah, looking at his management of the economy, policies and political legacy. Subscribe to Kerusi Panas on:  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IAKc6l Spotify: https://bit.ly/3IIdGzb

This episode looks at the election's significance, recent political history and, key features of Sabah politics. Subscribe to Kerusi Panas on:  Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IAKc6l Spotify: https://bit.ly/3IIdGzb

This episode brings together different themes from the episodes and asks the questions about why the election matters, points to key issues in different states, discusses predictions and broader implications of the polls. This season of Kerusi Panas is made in collaboration with Malaysiakini, and produced by Renegade Radio. Read more on the elections on Malaysiakini here: https://www.malaysiakini....

This episode looks at the hot seat of Hulu Kelang, arguably Perikatan Nasional’s frontline seat in Selangor. An urban seat where PN heavy weight, former minister and architect of the Sheratan Move, Mohamed Azmin Ali is being fielded against PKR’s Juwairiya binti Zulkifli. Issues addressed include dynamics within Perikatan Nasional, local development and patronage. This season of Kerusi Panas is ma...

This episode looks at the hot seat of Cukai in southern Terennganu, highlight the impact of infighting and drawing attention to the fight for UMNO’s future. This season of Kerusi Panas is made in collaboration with Malaysiakini, and produced by Renegade Radio. Read more on the elections on Malaysiakini here: https://www.malaysiakini.com/ Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov and Harumachimusic from Pixabay

In this episode I return to Kelantan to look at the hot seat of Kota Lama, where a female professional Amanah candidate faces off against a new PAS candidate as well as a candidate from PRM and independent. This episode discusses the nature of Kelantan politics and challenges the opposition face against the Islamist party that has held power in the state since 1990. This season of Kerusi Panas is...

This episode looks at hot seats on Penang Island, with a focus on the constituency of Pulau Betong. The area of Balik Pulau will determine whether Perikatan Nasional makes any electoral gains on the island and the Penang government holds onto two-thirds of the seats. It will also shape the scope of ethnic polarization that will impact governance after the elections. This season of Kerusi Panas is...

By looking at border seats in Negeri Sembilan -- notably Sungai Lui, Gemas and Bagan Pinang -- I highlight the symbiotic relationship between local and national conditions. The national campaign has been driven by mobilizing emotions, while local conditions raise issues of machinery, generational shifts and the role of security forces shaping outcomes in seats. This season of Kerusi Panas is made...

Bersatu is leading the fight to take over power in Negeri Sembilan. This episode focuses on the hot seats of Klawang and Juasseh in Negeri Sembilan where Bersatu is contesting. The episode highlights the role of social networks, family ties and local social norms in shaping political outcomes. I argue that Negeri Sembilan’s unique culture offers insights to why the opposition gains have been more...

This episode looks at the constituency of Bukit Selambau in southern Kedah – a hot political zone in the coming polls. Discussion centres on the representation of minorities, nominal representation and ethnic crossover voting as well as local dynamics in this diverse and dynamic constituency. This season of Kerusi Panas is made in collaboration with Malaysiakini, and produced by Renegade Radio. Re...

This hot seat is located in the heart of Permatang Pauh in Penang, where Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s legacy and popularity will be tested. It is also where the dynamics of the ‘green wave’ have been evident, greater Islamisation in politics and an embrace of more conservative candidates, especially by younger voters. This time PKR has fielded an ustaz, challenging the wave by fielding a locally...

This episode looks at Kubang Rotan, a hot seat in Kedah outside of its capital of Alor Setar. With a long history tied to protecting Kedah and where wars have been won and lost, this seat features an intensive personal and political battle for PAS and its government led by its MB Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to stamp his dominance on the state and diminish opposition voices. This season of Kerusi Panas...

A look at one of the DAP’s hot seats in Selangor, Kuala Kubu Baharu, a charming, historic and multiracial small town. Attention to competing loyalties, importance of the vote of different ethnic communities, the legacy of the Selangor government and a test of the multiracial fabric of a small town. This season of Kerusi Panas is made in collaboration with Malaysiakini, and produced by Renegade Rad...

This episode looks at the Telemung constituency in Hulu Terengganu, arguably UMNO's best seat in the state of Terengganu. Discussion centers on the swing of women and older voters as two old UMNO – one now Bersatu – battle it out to win the seat. This season of Kerusi Panas is made in collaboration with Malaysiakini, and produced by Renegade Radio. Read more on Malaysiakini: https://www.malaysiaki...

This episode looks at the three battle ground seats in the heart of the country, in the remote but more connected are of Gua Musang. All three seats are highly competitive, with UMNO having its best chance in Kelantan and PN in Paloh. This season of Kerusi Panas is made in collaboration with Malaysiakini, and produced by Renegade Radio. Read more on Malaysiakini here: https://www.malaysiakini.com/...

So far, the main framework to understand Malaysia’s mega polls has been focused on a referendum of the Anwar government. In introducing the Kerusi Panas series Bridget draws attention to the state and candidate factors in the coming elections. This season of Kerusi Panas is made in collaboration with Malaysiakini, and produced by Renegade Radio. Read more at Malaysiakini: https://www.malaysiakini....

BONUS EPISODE! Dr Bridget is in the Silver State! Perak is one of 3 states holding both Parliament and state contests. It’s a “fierce battle!” and in this special episode, Bridget looks at the dynamics of the whole state going into GE15. This podcast was brought to you by Between The Lines; Hosted by Dr. Bridget Welsh ; Produced and edited by Renegade Radio. - Tracks used in this episode are taken...