Kuala Lampur, Aug. 2 -- Politics shapes governments, but the economy shapes elections.

That is perhaps the most important lesson emerging from the latest political developments in Negeri Sembilan.

Much attention has been devoted to the electoral understanding between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), whereby BN contests 25 seats while PN contests 11.

Political observers have understandably focused on the electoral arithmetic, the symbolism of former rivals cooperating, and what such an arrangement could mean for future state and national elections.

Yet beneath these political calculations lies a more fundamental reality.

The growing appeal of political unity among segments of the Malay-Muslim electorate is inseparabl...