The Sungai Kandis by-election may have been triggered by the unfortunate passing of its PKR assemblyperson Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei, but analysts believe it will serve as a timely indicator of the future of opposition politics in Malaysia.

Set for Aug 4, the by-election comes hot on the heels of Umno’s own party polls, where Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emerged victorious in his bid to be president.

Sungai Kandis will thus be a barometer of the appeal of an Umno under the helm of the former deputy prime minister, believes Penang Institute political scientist Wong Chin Huat...