COMMENT | Our real political dictionary

COMMENT | Confused about Malaysian politics? Here is a little dictionary to help you understand things.

AB & Christian demons

Amanah - A progressive Islamic party. But it has trouble convincing Muslim voters as their leaders don’t wear turbans and robes.

Bersatu - Formed as Umno 3.0 by Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Dumped ally Pakatan Harapan during the Sheraton Move palace coup before getting enmeshed in a love triangle with both PAS and Umno (see Muafakat Nasional below). Now Bersatu leaders are betraying their own party. Oh, what delicious karma!

BKT or bak kut teh - This heritage Malaysian Chinese dish is deemed “offensive” to Muslims even if made from halal chicken. But another BKT - boleh kau tim (bribes) - is “acceptable” even if haram.

BN or Barisan Nasional - Once an all-powerful ruling coalition of 14 parties. But after its defeat in 2018, rats began jumping off the sinking ship. Now left with only four members - Umno and three dwarfs called MCA, MIC, and PBRS. Won only 30 of 222 Parliament seats in the last elections but Big Brother Umno still demands things like royal pardons for world-famous crooks.