The 'Borneo bloc': making and breaking Malaysia's federalism at GE15?

Malaysia's Borneo states Sabah and Sarawak co-founded today's federation that's going to the polls on November 19. But the undercurrents of state nationalism and grievances over the unmet promises of Malaysia's 1963 founding are driving many of East Malaysia's election agendas. Tough loyalty and personality contests in often remote electorates foreground what are still among the poorest regions in Malaysia, despite the vast fortunes made in oil and gas offshore and through deforestation across Borneo. Prof James Chin explains how Sabah and Sarawak may determine the ultimate victor at GE15, and why the peninsular's "toxic" racialised and religious politics should be avoided.